Alabama Senate Panel approves Medical Marijuana
Posted by Sagar Satapathy on April 23, 2015.
The Alabama Senate Judicial Committee has approved a bill that would allow medical marijuana to be used to treat some specific diseases. The Committee voted in favor of the bill by 4-3 margin. The development is seen as a huge milestone for pro-marijuana activists in Alabama who have been trying to advance legislation in the past, but in vain.
Under the new bill, marijuana could be used to treat at least 25 different ailments. Whenever any patients need marijuana drug, they need to go through an evaluation process. Once approved, they can receive medical marijuana. They can purchase between 2.5 and 10 ounces of marijuana per month, depending the class (I, II, or III). Under the bill, non-profit cooperatives would be able to grow and sell the marijuana. It would be taxed at 2.5 percent.
Although the bill has been approved by the Senate Judicial Committee, it may still face stiff opposition in the Senate. Since many previous efforts also ended without any result, it is feared that the bill would be drowned in the noise of majority when it comes up in the full Senate.
Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro), who is the sponsor of the legislation, said that medical marijuana would give the best treatment option for Alabamians who have been suffering from various terminal illness for long. However, Sen. Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City) has opposed the bill and said his concerns would be echoed by many others in the Senate.
