The bill HB390 amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to designate the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission as the primary authority for regulating, licensing, and enforcing cannabis cultivation, effectively removing the Department of Agriculture and Industries from this role. Key changes include the introduction of clearer definitions for terms related to medical cannabis, such as "cultivator," "processor," and "dispensary," and a new requirement for the commission to enforce regulations within the medical cannabis industry. The language has been updated from "seed to sale" to "seed-to-sale," reinforcing the commission's comprehensive oversight. The bill also establishes that at least 25% of all licenses must be awarded to minority-owned businesses and outlines the commission's powers, including conducting inspections and enforcing compliance.

Additionally, the bill sets forth new regulations for the packaging and labeling of medical cannabis products to ensure they are not appealing to children, prohibiting forms that resemble candy or cartoon characters. It mandates child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging, along with specific labeling requirements. The commission is empowered to implement a digital tracking system for monitoring products and is required to conduct background checks for individuals with access to cannabis facilities. The act is scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2024, following its passage in both the House and Senate.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-2A-3, 20-2A-50, 20-2A-51, 20-2A-52, 20-2A-53, 20-2A-57, 20-2A-59, 20-2A-62, 20-2A-63
Enrolled: 20-2A-3, 20-2A-50, 20-2A-51, 20-2A-52, 20-2A-53, 20-2A-57, 20-2A-59, 20-2A-62, 20-2A-63