The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals has overturned a temporary restraining order (TRO) that had blocked the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) from issuing medical marijuana business licenses.
The decision, issued Friday, removes a nearly two-year legal barrier that had stalled the state’s medical marijuana program.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit from Alabama Always, a company that challenged how the AMCC awarded licenses. The company argued that the commission violated state law by altering application scores and failing to follow proper procedures. While the TRO is now lifted, other legal challenges remain, meaning further delays are still possible.
This is the third time Alabama’s medical marijuana licensing process has been disrupted due to litigation. The AMCC first awarded licenses in June 2023, but after concerns about scoring irregularities, it voided the initial decisions and attempted a second round. That process also led to lawsuits, contributing to further delays.
With the restraining order now overturned, the AMCC is legally allowed to issue and finalize licenses, though the broader legal battle is not yet resolved. The full order from the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals can be viewed here.
