Alabama Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Cannabis Oil

Alabama Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Cannabis Oil

Roughly a week after being overwhelmingly approved by Alabama’s full legislature, a measure to legalize the medical use of low-THC cannabis oil has been signed into law by Governor Robert Bentley. Leni’s Law goes into effect on June 1st.

Under the new law, it will be legal for those with a recommendation from a physician to possess and use cannabis oil that has no more than 3% THC. Unfortunately the law doesn’t establish a system of dispensaries to provide patients with a consistent means of accessing their medicine, leaving advocates with plenty to continue fighting for. Still, the new law is clearly a step in the right direction.

“As a physician, I believe it is extremely important to give patients with a chronic or debilitating disease the option to consider every possible option for treatment,” Governor Bentley said in a statement following the bill’s signing. “With Leni’s Law, citizens in Alabama will have access to cannabidiol that may help with treatment.”

The legislation, named after Leni Young, a child who suffered a stroke in-utero and was diagnosed with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, was passed 95 to 4 by the House of Representatives, and 29 to 3 by the Senate, for a combined vote of 124 to 7.