Compassion Act

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The Darren Wesley "Ato" Hall Compassion Act, also known as the Compassion Act (Act of Alabama 2021-450) is a state law passed during the 2021 Alabama legislative session to permit and regulate the production, processing, distribution, sale, possession and use of certain forms of cannabis sativa within the state, for the treatment of specific medical conditions.

The Patients Coalition for Medical Cannabis, led by Amanda Taylor lobbied for the bill. The legislation came to be named in honor of the son of Representative Laura Hall (D-District 19).

The bill was sponsored by Mike Ball (R-District 10) in the House of Representatives, and by Tim Melson (R-District 1) in the Senate. Melson's version, introduced as Senate Bill 46, advanced and passed both houses. It was signed by Governor Kay Ivey on May 17. The law was enrolled under Title 20, Chapter 2A of the Code of Alabama.

Under the law, a 14-member Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) was created to oversee the licensing of producers (cultivators, processors and transporters), testing labs, dispensaries and qualified users. Specific cannabis products allowed to be distributed under the law include "tablets, capsules, tinctures, or gel cubes for oral use; gels, oils or creams for topical use, or suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, or liquids or oils for use in an inhaler." Gel cubes or "gummies" can only be offered with a peach flavor.

The law lists 15 medical conditions that qualify for legal treatment with cannabis-containing products, including chronic pain, cancer-related symptoms, depression, panic disorder, epilepsy, muscle spasms caused by disease or spinal cord injuries, and PTSD. In addition to a prescription, doctors must certify in writing that conventional treatments and therapies have not been effective. Patients under 18 years old can only be prescribed products containing less than 3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Prescribed products can contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of cannabis for the first 90 days of treatment, and can be increased to a maximum of 75 milligrams after a follow-up examination. Qualified patients must obtain a medical cannabis card which allows them to purchase products at a licensed dispensary. Patients may possess no more than 70 daily doses.

The commission is funded by license fees and a 9% tax on gross sales. It began the process of awarding licenses in September 2022. It published an initial list of approved businesses in June 2023, which was followed by a revised list in August of the same year, both of which were later rescinded. The AMCC then overhauled its selection process. In December it awarded licenses for cultivators, processors, transporters and testing laboratories, but litigation prevented licenses for dispensaries and integrated facilities from taking effect.

References

External links