Alabama governor signs legislation legalizing medical marijuana

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced Monday that she has signed into law legislation that will legalize medical marijuana in the state.

The bill allows a person with a qualifying health condition to purchase marijuana after being advised by a doctor. Qualifying conditions include autism spectrum disorder, cancer-related conditions, Crohn’s disease, depression and HIV/AIDS-related conditions.

Purchasers will need a medical cannabis card in order to obtain pot legally in the state.

Ivey on Twitter thanked the lawmakers who spearheaded the bill “for their hard work over the last few years & their commitment to continue to work on this to ensure we have a productive, safe & responsible operation in AL.”

I’ve signed SB 46 pertaining to medical marijuana. I would like to thank Sen. Tim Melson & Rep. Mike Ball for their hard work over the last few years & their commitment to continue to work on this to ensure we have a productive, safe & responsible operation in AL. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/2IUBZVEKpI

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) May 17, 2021

Alabama’s state House passed the bill earlier this month by a vote of 68-35. The state Senate passed the bill by a 20-10 vote in February.

Under the legislation, patients can obtain the medical marijuana in oral tablets, topical preparations, liquid for inhalers and more. The measure does not include weed in the form of “any product administered by smoking, combustion or vaping,” food products, or raw plants.

Virginia earlier this year became the first Southern state to legalize recreational pot possession in most cases.