HB390 is a comprehensive bill that amends the Code of Alabama 1975 to establish the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission as the primary regulatory body for the cultivation, licensure, and enforcement of medical cannabis. The bill revises definitions and terms, excluding industrial hemp from the definition of "cannabis" and specifying that "medical cannabis" does not include raw plant material or products administered by smoking, combustion, or vaping. It transfers licensing authority from the Department of Agriculture and Industries to the commission and introduces the term "seed-to-sale" to describe the state's regulation of medical cannabis. The commission is responsible for regulating all aspects of medical cannabis, including cultivation, and may collaborate with the Department of Agriculture and Industries, which can recover costs for its cooperation.

The bill outlines the commission's authority to investigate license applicants, conduct inspections, and take disciplinary action against licensees. It also sets forth the commission's role in adopting rules for medical cannabis facilities, establishing testing standards, and introducing a universal state symbol for packaging. The commission can deny, suspend, revoke, or restrict licenses for non-compliance and impose civil fines for violations. The bill mandates criminal background checks for individuals with access to cannabis facilities and sets a limit on the number of cultivator and processor licenses. It ensures that medical cannabis products are not appealing to children, requiring child-resistant packaging and specific labeling, including a universal flavor for gelatinous products and a comprehensive warning statement. The bill is set to become effective on June 1, 2024, and includes deletions of references to the department, indicating a shift of responsibilities to the commission.

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