John Schroyer
Two of three companies that filed suit against the state of Alabama over their rejected medical marijuana license applications have won their cases, which will force regulators to add the two to the ranks of those eligible for licensure.
The pair of litigants – Med Shop Dispensary and TheraTrue Alabama – won rulings from a Montgomery County circuit court judge after arguing that technical problems on the state’s end prevented them from filing their applications before the Dec. 30, 2022, deadline, the Alabama Daily News reported.
A third lawsuit, filed by RedBud Remedies, was thrown out.
But the victories of Med Shop Dispensary and TheraTrue Alabama mean that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission will have to review and score their applications along with 94 others that were also filed before the deadline.
“The only change at this point (is) the commission will evaluate 96 applications instead of 94,” a spokesman told the Alabama Daily News.
Competition will be fierce, since a limited number of permits are available:
- 12 for growers
- Four for processors
- Four for dispensaries
- Five for vertically integrated facilities under state law.
It’s unclear how many transporter or testing lab permits will be available.
Licenses are expected to be awarded in July, and annual fees will range from $30,000 to $50,000 depending on permit type.
