Current:Home > MyMedical marijuana dispensary licenses blocked in Alabama amid dispute over selection process -FundPrime
Medical marijuana dispensary licenses blocked in Alabama amid dispute over selection process
View
Date:2025-04-15 06:33:16
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A judge temporarily blocked Alabama from issuing licenses to medical marijuana dispensaries amid an ongoing legal battle over how the state selected the winning companies.
Montgomery Circuit Judge James Anderson issued a temporary restraining order late Thursday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses to the four dispensaries. The licenses will be on hold while he hears a challenge to the selection process.
The court order is the latest development in an ongoing legal battle that has plagued the start of Alabama’s medical marijuana program. Alabama lawmakers voted to allow medical marijuana in the state in 2021. Commission officials are aiming to make the products available in 2024 after a series of delays.
The ruling affects only the dispensaries. Brittany Peters, a spokeswoman for the commission, said Friday that the commission has issued licenses to other companies that were selected to cultivate, transport, and test marijuana.
The commission next month is set to issue the coveted “integrated” licenses for multifunctional companies that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. Anderson has not yet ruled on a request to block the issuance of the integrated licenses.
Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries had sought the pause on the dispensary licenses. Yellowhammer was selected in the commission’s first two attempts to award the licenses this summer, but the commission rescinded the awards amid disputes about the selection process. Yellowhammer was not selected in the latest round.
Patrick Dungan, a lawyer representing Yellowhammer, said the company is pleased to see the court intervene.
Dungan said Yellowhammer had unsuccessfully urged the commission to allow two dispensary licenses to go forward and withhold a decision on the final two. He said the company is “only looking for a fair opportunity to be heard on how we were denied a license after achieving the second-highest score and being awarded a license twice.”
Anderson said he is sympathetic to concerns about delaying the availability of medical marijuana but said a pause on the licenses is merited.
veryGood! (73476)
Related
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Could Climate Change Be the End of the ‘Third World’?
- Energizing People Who Play Outside to Exercise Their Civic Muscles at the Ballot Box
- Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS Only Has Sales Twice a Year: Don't Miss These Memorial Day Deals
- Trump's 'stop
- Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Push Ignores Some Important Realities
- China, India to Reach Climate Goals Years Early, as U.S. Likely to Fall Far Short
- Beyoncé’s Rare Message to “Sweet Angel” Daughter Blue Ivy Will Warm Your Soul
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Al Roker Makes Sunny Return to Today Show 3 Weeks After Knee Surgery
Ranking
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Skull found by California hunter in 1991 identified through DNA as remains of missing 4-year-old Derrick Burton
- Supreme Court clears way for redrawing of Louisiana congressional map to include 2nd majority-Black district
- Rent is falling across the U.S. for the first time since 2020
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- January Jones Looks Unrecognizable After Debuting a Dramatic Pixie Cut
- 2 dead, 15 injured after shooting at Michigan party
- U.S. maternal deaths keep rising. Here's who is most at risk
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
When Trump’s EPA Needed a Climate Scientist, They Called on John Christy
Olivia Holt Shares the Products She Uses To Do Her Hair and Makeup on Broadway Including This $7 Pick
Al Roker Makes Sunny Return to Today Show 3 Weeks After Knee Surgery
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
More Renewable Energy for Less: Capacity Grew in 2016 as Costs Fell
16 Father's Day Gift Ideas That Are So Cool, You'll Want to Steal From Dad
Iowa Republicans pass bill banning most abortions after about 6 weeks