The chairman of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission says Executive Director John McMillan will retire October 29, but McMillan is publicly disputing that announcement, saying he has no intention of leaving his position.
Commission Chairman Sam Blakemore confirmed the planned retirement Monday, according to WBRC, which reported that a transition committee would be established to begin searching for McMillan’s replacement. However, in reporting by Josh Moon of the Alabama Political Reporter, McMillan directly contradicted the announcement, telling the publication that he intends to remain in his position.
Asked specifically whether he planned to retire or resign later this month, McMillan responded, “Not me.” He also indicated that substantial work remains unfinished at the commission.
Blakemore told the Alabama Political Reporter that McMillan had informed him and others of his plans to step down. The publication also reported that commission members had been contacting potential replacements, with some discussing commission General Counsel Justin Aday as a possible interim director.
Blakemore subsequently said he favored establishing a committee to oversee the selection process, rather than moving ahead with an informal appointment.
The disagreement comes as Alabama continues working through longstanding disputes over its medical marijuana licensing system. Although state lawmakers approved medical marijuana in 2021, the commission’s efforts to award integrated facility licenses have been repeatedly challenged in court, delaying implementation of a significant portion of the program.
Integrated facility licenses allow businesses to cultivate, process and distribute medical marijuana under a single authorization. Alabama law allows five such licenses, making the selection process particularly competitive.
Applicants have participated in proceedings before an administrative law judge, whose recommendations will help determine how the commission proceeds with the contested licenses. Previous licensing decisions have been disrupted by legal challenges involving the commission’s selection procedures.
McMillan, a former Alabama state treasurer, has served as the commission’s executive director since its establishment and has overseen much of the state’s medical marijuana implementation process.
The commission’s official meeting calendar lists its next meeting for October 29, the same date Blakemore identified as McMillan’s planned departure.
