Alabama governor signs medical marijuana legislation
KIM CHANDLER, Associated Press
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed medical marijuana legislation Monday as Republican opposition to the issue faded after decades of debate.
The program will allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase medical marijuana with the recommendation of a doctor. The approval came eight years after a medical marijuana bill in 2013 won that year’s so-called “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill of the year in the House of Representatives.
Ivey called signing the bill an “important first step” and thanked the sponsors of the bill for their work.
Medical Marijuana Approved by Alabama Legislature After Years of Resistance
Alabama lawmakers overcame years of resistance and gave final passage to medical marijuana legislation on Thursday, capping a long and emotional debate in which key Republican lawmakers described switching sides in favor of the proposal.
The House of Representatives voted 68-34 to pass the bill, which would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase medical marijuana with the recommendation of a doctor. The Alabama Senate late Thursday voted to accept House changes and sent the legislation to Gov. Kay Ivey.
The state Senate had already approved the bill last February by a 21-8 vote after just 15 minutes of debate. But the House of Representatives had traditionally been more skeptical of medical marijuana proposals and sent the bill through two committees before it reached the House floor.
Montgomery Advertiser
MONTGOMERY, Ala. The Alabama Legislature Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would create a statewide medical marijuana program, following two historic votes and a House debate spanning more than two days.
Alabama s House of Representatives voted 68 to 34 to approve the measure, sponsored by state Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, despite a lengthy filibuster from about a half-dozen dedicated opponents that delayed a vote on the bill on Tuesday. The state Senate concurred in changes to the bill late Thursday on a 20 to 9 vote.
State Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, a longtime medical cannabis advocate who handled the bill in the House, had tears in his eyes when speaking to reporters after the House vote.
Alabama medical marijuana bill headed to Gov. Kay Ivey after historic House vote
The Montgomery Advertiser 24 mins ago Brian Lyman, Montgomery Advertiser
The Alabama Legislature Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would create a statewide medical marijuana program, following two historic votes and a House debate spanning more than two days.
The House of Representatives voted 68 to 34 to approve the measure, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, despite a lengthy filibuster from about a half-dozen dedicated opponents that delayed a vote on the bill on Tuesday. The Senate concurred in changes to the bill late Thursday on a 20 to 9 vote.
Alabama Legislature drops resistance, OKs medical marijuana
KIM CHANDLER , Associated Press
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1of6Rep. Laura Hall is congratulated after the Medical Cannabis bill is amended to be named after her son, during debate in the House chamber at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday May 6, 2021. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)Mickey Welsh/APShow MoreShow Less
2of6Rep. David Faulkner, from left, and Rep. Thomas Jackson talk with Sen. Tim Melson during a debate on the Medical Cannabis bill in the House chamber at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Ala., on Thursday May 6, 2021. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)Mickey Welsh/APShow MoreShow Less