Cannabis Licensee Prepares for More Litigation
- Medical cannabis licenses have been awarded for a third time in Cullman County, Alabama, with the aim of having products on the market by Spring 2024. Wagon Trail Med-Serv, a company that has been producing hemp products since 2019, was awarded an integrated facility license after failing to secure one on two prior attempts. The license is expected to be officially issued on January 9, 2024.
- The application process led by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is considered the most complete yet, allowing applicants to present their cases directly. Once notified of the award, license fees must be paid within 14 days, and an onsite inspection by the commission will be conducted. The CEO of Wagon Trail Med-Serv, Joey Robertson, anticipates further litigation and remains cautious about aggressive timelines, despite believing that the third time will be successful.
- With the issuance of the license, growers can set up and start cultivation within 45 days, and other parts of the process will commence once the plants are ready. The physician’s process to obtaining Medical Cannabis Certification Permits is contingent on the issuance of licenses. The permit allows physicians to verify if a patient has a valid qualifying condition for the use of medical cannabis. Qualifying conditions include Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cancer-related symptoms, Crohn’s Disease, Depression, Epilepsy, HIV/AIDS-related symptoms, Panic Disorder, Parkinson’s Disease, PTSD, Sickle Cell Anemia, Multiple Sclerosis, a terminal illness, Tourette’s Syndrome, and conditions causing chronic or intractable pain. Patients must meet certain criteria to qualify, including being a resident of the state, being 19 or older, certified by a registered physician, registered with the Commission, and issued a valid medical cannabis card.
Third Round of Medical Cannabis Licenses: Optimistic Outlook with New Process
Medical cannabis licenses have moved into the third round with the intent for products to launch by Spring 2024, pending further litigation. Wagon Trail Med-Serv in Cullman County was granted an integrated facility license this week.
Wagon Trail has been a hemp product maker since 2019. Their comprehensive 1,600-page application took over a year to compile, but finally earned them a license after two prior rejections.
CEO Joey Robertson maintained optimism, asserting that the recent application process was the most thorough to date, with applicants presenting directly to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission.
Following license award notification, fees must be paid and an onsite inspection performed within 14 days. “We expect the AMCC to conduct a site visit soon. They need to confirm our capabilities,” stated Robertson.
He explained that their existing hemp business infrastructure aligns well with medical cannabis. Applicants denied a license can request an investigative hearing for reconsideration within 14 days.
Despite a license award, official integrated facility licenses issuance is slated for January 9, 2024. Licenses for cultivators, secure transporters, processors, dispensaries, and state testing laboratories are due to be issued on December 29.
“We anticipate more litigation. Several highly qualified applicants are vying for five licenses in the state,” said Robertson. His aim is to initiate cultivation within 45 days of the license issuance.
Monetary losses incurred through attorney fees and property holdings for dispensaries have been factored into the process. As an integrated facility, Wagon Trail is set to establish five dispensary locations in Cullman, Decatur, Athens, Florence, and Montgomery.
License issuance is crucial for physicians seeking Medical Cannabis Certification Permits. The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners cannot distribute the permit until the AMCC has issued at least one license for every role from cultivator to dispensary.
“We have a patient registry to keep track of patient purchases. There will be a patient card, similar to an Alabama driver’s license,” said John McMillian, AMCC Director.
Qualifying conditions for medical cannabis range from Autism Spectrum Disorder to depression, Parkinson’s Disease, and cancer-related symptoms, among others. In addition to a qualifying condition, patients must meet several criteria including state residency, physician certification, and valid medical cannabis card.
Products for medical cannabis use do not include raw plant material, smokable or vapable products, or edibles. Available products are likely to be tablets, capsules, tinctures, gels, oils, creams, suppositories, transdermal patches, and liquids or oils for use in an inhaler.
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