Alabama House nears vote on medical marijuana bill
Source: Associated Press
Alabama House nears vote on medical marijuana bill
By KIM CHANDLER
May 4, 2021
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) The Alabama House of Representatives headed to a vote on a medical marijuana bill late Tuesday evening after impassioned debate that included lawmakers expressing fervent opposition or how they changed they minds on the issue after the illnesses of family members.
The bill would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a doctor. More than a dozen conditions, including cancer, a terminal illness and chronic pain would allow a person to qualify. The bill would allow marijuana in forms such as pills, skin patches and creams but not in smoking or vaping products.
The bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. Tim Melson, a doctor, and Republican Rep. Mike Ball, a former state trooper and state investigator.
This can change the quality of life for the people that we love, said Republican Rep. Allen Farley, a former police officer, describing how his 94-year-old mother at the end of her life entered a facility that treats people with dementia.
Republican Rep. Brett Easterbrook of Fruitdale said he is as conservative as they get but saw the positive impact medical marijuana had on his son.
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