By Bonita Wilborn
At a special Public Hearing held on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, the Town of Hammondville met to discuss the possibility of a medical cannabis dispensary coming to their Town. Mayor Gene Cleckler explained that the meeting was for the sole purpose of discussing the possibility, and “that doesn’t mean we are talking about a location or anything else. We just have to decide if the Town of Hammondville is willing to allow that to happen.”
Former Hammondville Mayor, John Moore, currently of the North DeKalb Medical Clinic, was at the meeting. He shared details and answered the question about the proposed business venture. Moore is the one who has applied for the Town’s consideration and stated that “this is just the beginning of the application process.”
Moore explained that the potential business venture is being proposed due to the bill that was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on May 17, 2021, after the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) was established during the 2021 legislative session.
The bill allows registered patients to use and safely access medical cannabis preparations in Alabama, making it the 36th medical cannabis state. Beginning September 1, 2022, a person may apply to the commission for a license for an integrated facility or a license as a cultivator processor, secure transporter, state testing laboratory, or dispensary.
According to Moore, medical cannabis is highly regulated. It is only authorized for use for a few conditions, including: Cancer, Autism, PTSD, terminal illness and chronic pain, severe depression, Epilepsy, or other conditions that cause seizures, Sickle Cell Anemia, Tourette’s Syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease are among those.
According to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Law’s specifications, candidates must be evaluated by a trained physician. A nurse practitioner or physician assistant will not be able to prescribe it.
Moore’s brief overview outlined some things Alabama’s Law will and will not allow, including:
• Raw plant, smoking, vaporization, candies, and baked goods are not allowed.
• Pills, gelatin cubes, lozenges, oils, suppositories, nebulizers, and patches are allowed.
• Employers could still drug test and prohibit employees from using cannabis.
• Patients could not undertake any task while under the influence of cannabis that would be negligent. Cannabis is banned at correctional facilities and schools.
• No more than four dispensaries, which may have up to three locations in different counties than other sites, starting with one-year post-licensing.
Moore explained that patients must undergo an extensive evaluation. Only those who meet the requirements will be issued a medicinal marijuana card with specific demographics and photos to be presented at the dispensary.
Although there were many questions and concerns about a medical cannabis dispensary in Hammondville, including Christian principles, Council Member Felicia Harrison commented that she is a true Christian, with a granddaughter who suffers from seizures about 30 times a day. Harrison stated that what helped her granddaughter was medical cannabis.
No action was taken during the August 24 meeting. However, an additional Town Hall Meeting will be announced later. The next regular meeting of the Hammondville Town Council is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 6:00 PM.