Medical Marijuana

Barely Legal: Some officials in Alabama want to outlaw delta-8. Others want to make it safer

Delta-8, which comes from hemp, is processed to create a concentrated form of THC. It’s legal for sale in Alabama … at least for now.

Alabama approved a medical marijuana program in 2021. Patients are still waiting for it

In 2021 Alabama overcame years of resistance in the Deep South and approved a medical cannabis program. But three years later, medical marijuana remains unavailable in Alabama because of an ongoing legal fight over some of the licenses to grow and sell the products.

Bill revamping ethics law advances in the legislature

Lawmakers also took up the General Fund budget and a proposal to increase the number of medical cannabis licenses.

Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies

A Montgomery circuit judge issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses for “integrated” facilities that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. The coveted licenses will be on hold while he hears a challenge to the selection process.

Birmingham City Council moves toward approval of cannabis dispensaries

Birmingham has taken “the first step” on the road to legalizing medical marijuana. The City Council voted Tuesday to approve an ordinance authorizing medical cannabis dispensaries to operate within Birmingham city limits.

Alabama wants to speed up medical marijuana growing. Will it be helpful or cause more problems?

With medical marijuana now legal in Alabama, some farmers are eager to get plants in the ground, but licenses to grow marijuana won’t be available until September 2022. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission wants to move up licensing so farmers can plant seeds earlier.

Five Things You Need To Know About Alabama’s New Medical Marijuana Law

Alabama's new medical marijuana law is more than 100-pages long. We did the hard work and pulled out the highlights that may impact you.

Alabama Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Legislation

Lawmakers had a change of heart after decades of debate on the issue.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Medical Marijuana And Yoga Bills Pass, Gambling Bill Stalls

A medical marijuana bill goes to the governor. Meanwhile a gambling bill looks unlikely to pass this session.

Alabama Legislature Drops Resistance, OKs Medical Marijuana

The bill faced strong resistance among House lawmakers.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Updated Sex Ed Language, DA’s Fight Medical Marijuana Bill

Alabama lawmakers have been more receptive to bills that ease restrictions on alcohol this year. Senators approved a wine delivery bill this week without much debate.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Gambling Fails, Medical Marijuana, Anti-Riot Bills Face Hurdles

A bill that would have added a lottery and casinos was defeated in the Senate. In the aftermath, some lawmakers said a lottery-only bill would have stood a better chance.

Legislative Wrap-Up: Gambling, Medical Marijuana, No-Excuse Absentee Voting

One of the measures that passed with very little debate in the Alabama Senate this week would authorize the use of medical marijuana. But the measure could face bigger challenges in the House.

Alabama Lawmakers Approve $5 Million For Coronavirus Response

Coronavirus grabbed the attention of state lawmakers this week. And bills related to the prison system and medical marijuana advanced.

Medical Marijuana, Transgender Athlete Bills Pass Committee

A bill to allow medical marijuana in Alabama picked up steam in the Alabama Legislature this week as a Senate committee overwhelmingly approved it. Another committee backed a bill requiring transgender students to play sports under their “gender assignment at birth" as opposed to how they identify.

Payday Lending, Transgender Athlete Bills Go Nowhere in Alabama Legislature

A number of bills had difficulty moving forward in the second week of this year's Alabama legislative session.

Medical Marijuana Bill Expected in Upcoming Alabama Legislative Session

Alabama lawmakers start this year’s legislative session Tuesday and one item expected to come up is legalizing medical marijuana.

Here’s What You Missed in the 2019 Legislative Session

It was one of the busiest and most contentious legislative sessions in years. The near-total abortion ban passed by Alabama lawmakers overshadowed many other bills. What else happened?

Abortion Bill Vote Delayed After Commotion on Senate Floor

An abortion bill delayed, a medical marijuana measure advances and a switch-out of a lottery bill ... Alabama Public Television has a look back at this week's action in the Alabama legislature.

Lawmakers Consider a Lottery, Medical Marijuana, and Common Core Repeal

Medical marijuana, a repeal of the Common Core, and a lottery bill were all on the legislative agenda this past week. We take a look at these and other measures lawmakers considered.

UAB Study Finds CBD Oil Helps Epilepsy Patients

Researchers at UAB published a study this month that offers hope to those dealing with severe epilepsy. It found cannabidiol or CBD oil helps curb seizures. The substance is derived from marijuana although it doesn’t have hallucinogenic properties.

Carly’s Law Study: Patients On Marijuana Derivative Oil Report Progress

Last year, Alabama was the second state to legalize limited use of marijuana derivate, commonly known as CBD oil. Alabama’s Carly’s Law, is allowing doctors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to study and prescribe CBD oil to select patients. CBD oil has only traces or no THC --the active ingredient in marijuana known to produce a high-and is changing the debate surrounding the use of use of marijuana as medicine. UAB’s study officially started this spring.