Republicans in the Alabama House of Representatives are filibustering tonight to try to block a bill to legalize, regulate, and tax medical marijuana. Some lawmakers are making repeated trips to the mic to try to stop what the bill’s sponsor expects to be a favorable vote. Tonight marks the closest the bill has ever come to becoming law. It has passed the Senate three times but has never come .
Medical marijuana bill stalls in Ala. House after 9 hours of debate
Medical marijuana debate continues in Alabama House By Lydia Nusbaum | May 5, 2021 at 12:39 AM CDT - Updated May 5 at 12:42 AM
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - A medical marijuana bill stalled in the Alabama House chamber Tuesday after several Republicans organized a filibuster. However, House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, said he expects there will be a vote on the floor Thursday.
The chamber debated the bill for about nine hours but lawmakers were required to stop debate for the legislative day at midnight.
The bill would make marijuana legal medical treatment for about 10 different medical conditions, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, autism and epilepsy.
Alabama House filibuster delays medical marijuana bill despite strong support
It had the votes. But it couldn t overcome the dissent.
The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday spent over nine hours debating a bill from Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence to authorize medical marijuana, but adjourned without passing it despite overwhelming margins in favor of the bill. It s frustrating to see that a few stubborn people can block the process, said Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, who spent roughly eight hours in the well of the House arguing for the bill. But that s the process we have.
House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said the chamber would take up the bill again on Thursday.