MONTGOMERY, AL (WBMA) — The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals has voided a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that had halted the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission’s licensing process for 14 months. The court unanimously ruled that the Montgomery County Circuit Court lacked jurisdiction over the claims that led to the TRO in the Alabama Always case, declaring the order void. The appeals were dismissed with instructions for the Montgomery County Circuit Court to vacate the TRO.

“On behalf of the many long-suffering patients in Alabama who have waited far too long for access to the benefits of medical cannabis products, we are pleased with today’s decision from the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals,” said Director John McMillan. “We are hopeful that this decision will remove the obstacles that have prevented the Commission from completing the licensing process and doing the work the law charged it to do.”

The decision aligns with the Commission’s stance that its licensing decisions are not final until the investigative hearing process is completed. Following these hearings, the Commission will review findings from an impartial hearing officer and issue a final order, which will be subject to judicial review. The Commission has maintained that legal challenges are premature before the administrative review process concludes.

“As I’ve said time and again, the singular objective of the Commission is helping Alabama patients through access to the benefits of medical cannabis products,” said Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn. “Today we have hope for those patients – hope that we can proceed with our hearing process and get those products into their hands.”

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The Commission has completed the investigative hearing process and issued licenses in several categories, including cultivator, processor, secure transporter, and state testing laboratory.

However, the Circuit Court had previously enjoined the Commission from taking further action, including conducting hearings for dispensary and integrated facility licenses, despite the Commission’s administrative stay on issuing licenses until a final order is entered.