The business license selection process for medical cannabis licenses could see further delays after a Montgomery County judge postponed on Monday a hearing set for July 13.
Two medical cannabis companies — Alabama Always and Hornet Medicinals — along with the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission filed a motion for the continuance.
"The Commission believes it is unlikely that the third-party tabulation of the scores will be complete by July 13," attorneys for the companies and commission said in a recent court filing.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission gave out 21 business licenses in June.
However, there is currently a stay on proceedings due to discoveries by commission staff of "potential inconsistencies in the tabulation of scoring data," according to the commission.
The commission is currently seeking an "independent review of all scoring data."
An AMCC news release in June announcing the license recipients stated the University of South Alabama (USA) was engaged by AMCC to coordinate the application review process and recruit evaluators to assess the scored exhibit items for all 90 applicants.
"USA utilized 66 evaluators, with experience relevant to the application content, to review one of eight scoring categories: financial ability; business/management approach; operations plans and procedures; facility suitability and infrastructure; security plan; personnel; quality control and testing; or marketing and advertising," the release read.
"Each scored exhibit was independently reviewed by two evaluators to assess the applicant's solvency, stability, suitability, capability, projected efficiency and experience, both in relation to any baseline set by the Commission, as well as in comparison with other applicants."
A few days after the license recipients were announced, members of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) voted to pause all proceedings related to the current offering of medical cannabis business licenses. A Montgomery Circuit Court Judge ordered the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to stop issuing licenses to growers and distributors.
The annual license fees range from $30,000 to $50,000, depending on the type.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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