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.
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A bill that would lift a nearly three-decade ban on yoga in public schools is a step closer to Gov. Kay Ivey s desk.
The Alabama Senate voted 23-7 late Thursday for a bill from Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, would allow public schools to offer yoga as an elective course. The bill was amended to put a ban on hypnotic states and meditation in courses, and to require notification of parents about their children enrolling in yoga courses that yoga is associated with Hinduism.
In the Montgomery County delegation, Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, voted for the bill. Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, voted against it.
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.
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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.
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.