We're about to start the public hearing on Sen. Tim Melson's medical marijuana bill at the state house this morning. There are a number of amendments that are being prepared and five speakers for and against the bill so we'll be here a while. #alpolitics
Sen. Cam Ward is having a field day with the jokes this morning. We're starting with Sen. Melson first and then starting on public hearing.
Melson says there would be an avenue to let outside providers into the state. Ward says he has a number of amendments coming dealing with issues from employers. #alpolitics #medicalmarijuana
Melson explains there are 15 qualifying conditions on the bill currently. Says some could say, "really, that one? But that's because they either don't have it or haven't talk to someone who does."
Melson says that concerns over different strains of cannabis will be checked and analyzed before being sold for fear of different THC levels.
First public speaker is a Baptist minister (didn't catch his name) who helps run multiple drug and alcohol rehab centers in the state. He's an opponent of the bill. Saying marijuana was a gateway drug for opioid drug abuse for people he's treated.
Next speaker is Christi Cain, she's the mother of a 8 year old diagnosed with epilepsy who has seen positive results from using cannabis. Saying he was having more than 100 seizures a day before using cannabis. Now it's around 20-30.
Now hearing from Caleb Crosby from @alabamapolicy saying this bill is the opposite of "limited government" which many of the senators on the committee ran on.
@alabamapolicy Cynthia Atkinson is speaking on behalf of her husband who diagnosed with Parkinsons was experiencing terrible leg cramping pain and when using cannabis patches felt instant relief in his legs within 15-20 min. Had to travel to Colorado to get these patches.
@alabamapolicy She says her husband's use of opioids as a way to treat the pain completely wracked his body. "Why would we not allow the option of something that is safer than opioids."
@alabamapolicy Now hearing from Capt. Clay Hammock from Shelby county: "Just because we put the word medical in front of marijuana doesn't deem it medicine."
@alabamapolicy Saying that law enforcement was never invited to the table when the medical cannabis commission was meeting last year.
@alabamapolicy Hammock was also questioning why the bill isn't in the health committee. Ward just explained that it's because he believes the Judiciary committee is the most deliberative body in the state house.
@alabamapolicy Now Sen. Figures is asking for an apology from Hammock because he insinuated that the committee "casually" considers this legislation.
@alabamapolicy Now hearing from Laura Hearing who is a registered nurse and says there is not enough studies and instruction on how to prescribe and administer proper dosage for medical cannabis. Says this will create scores of new regular users of cannabis.
@alabamapolicy Now hearing Dr. Alan Shackleford who says he's had great success treating veterans with PTSD with cannabis. Is making the case that this bill could help a lot of people in Alabama suffering from PTSD, not just veterans.
@alabamapolicy "This bill isn't about getting high, it's about getting well."
@alabamapolicy First amendment just passed. Ward said this doesn't expand immunity for anyone under current alabama law.
@alabamapolicy Second amendment also from Ward just passed very quickly as well. Deals with Workers Comp. Says this treats a person under workers comp with the same standard as any other drug. They're not giving a lot of explanation with these amendments. Just moving through them quickly.
@alabamapolicy No senators appear to be opposing them either.
@alabamapolicy Now they're dealing with a number of technical amendments, just about "cleaning up" the bill.
@alabamapolicy Now amendment from Sen. Whatley, wanting to go back to language of the bill that came out of commission. Says his main concern is about agriculture production in the state. Deals with the make up of the members on the commission. Melson says he's in favor of it.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Givhan is concerned about the lack of pharmacists on the commission and the lack of control on THC levels. Also doesn't like how the commission can consider new diagnosis to be allowed in the future.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Melson says to the concerns about abuse, that's already happening in the state, and says its not worth the trouble of going through the medical cannabis process in order to just get high a couple of times. The process will keep it from being abused.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Vivian Figures says she supports the bill and since she's a "pro-choice woman" she believes in giving people the right to choose for themselves on how to treat their own illnesses or medical issues.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Barfoot says he will vote to get it out of committee but still wants to work to address any concerns he still has before he gets to the floor.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Larry Stutts saying he doesn't agree with the bill "There is no other drug that we have to put the adjective medical in front of it to make it medicine" Says he's concerned about the lack of studies and trials on marijuana.
@alabamapolicy Says he doesn't think the qualifying illnesses list is strict enough and will create more availability of marijuana in society.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Bobby Singleton now trying to make sure his amendments got passed. Which apparently they were without him realizing. One of them would remove the time frame of six months of someone being terminally ill to be treated with cannabis. Allows them to be treated when needed.
@alabamapolicy Sen. Figures now asking if this has had help with treating post-menopausal women, which resulted in a HUGE laugh from the crowd and senators.
@alabamapolicy Women's health care is hilarious to this room.
@alabamapolicy Sorry for the pause their folks. The bill did pass out of committee. The only no votes were from Sen. Larry Stutts and Sen. Sam Givhan abstained from voting.
