Members of the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate approved legislation, Senate Bill 46, which would provide regulated medical cannabis access to qualifying patients with a physician’s recommendation.
House members approved the bill with a 68 to 34 vote, and then the Senate concurred with a 29 to 9 vote. The measure already passed the Senate initially last month. The bill we now be sent to the desk of Republican Governor Kay Ivey.
SB 46 would permit registered patients to purchase and possess up to “70 daily dosages” of medical marijuana at a time, with each dose at a maximum of 50 milligrams. Patients would not be allowed to smoke, vape, or access candy or baked goods, but formulations such as lozenges, oils, and capsules would be available to patients instead.
The measure also includes a nine percent tax on medical marijuana sales. Business licensing applications will be available by this Fall.
The Alabama Senate approved a similar medical cannabis access bill in 2020, but the legislation never advanced in the House.