One of many Alabama cities, Jasper’s ordinances approving business licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries is one of many that state’s local governments have done. Residents gathered to hear from CRNA Christine Carr this week because the approval worried them.
Carr has more than 27 years of experience in the medical industry and has worked with Drug-Free Alabama. She has been outspoken about issues with the medical marijuana law in Alabama that she has found. In all corners of the state, she has addressed city councils and other business gatherings.
This week, Carr addressed the group, stating that she thinks the state’s problems with medical marijuana will begin with the law, which she feels is lacking. Carr told the group in Jasper that “we need to see a lot of changes happen in Montgomery first.”
“And if you don’t opt out now and just let them come in, the chance to really see some good changes in Montgomery will pass because there won’t be the kind of pressure that we need to make sure that these changes happen.”
Although she wants to inform local governments about the changes she believes need to be made if they have already opted into medical marijuana authorization, she also wants to educate them so that they do not do so. Prior to a business opening, according to Carr, it is not too late.
If you can’t persuade them to immediately opt back out again, there won’t be much you can do for your region, Carr warned. “Because if you resist and try to kick them out after they’ve invested their money and established roots, they’ll threaten to sue Jasper out of existence,” said the man.
Christine Carr urged cities to study the data, consider tightening zoning laws, listen to community members’ concerns, and study the data. The legality of allowing pregnant women to use medical marijuana is one issue Carr raised with the law. She claimed that THC can lead to severe birth defects and is extremely dangerous for developing babies. We should make sure we’re protecting our babies if they’re going to call this product medicine, Carr said.
Carr advocated for treating medical marijuana in a way that was comparable to how Accutane was handled in terms of rules. Women who are of childbearing age and who are receiving prescriptions in those circumstances must have a pregnancy test that is negative before picking them up.
The minimum age for cardholders, the requirement of caregivers for those who are underage, the ban on caregiver use of medical marijuana, the restriction on caregiver use of marijuana, and a reduction in the list of qualifying conditions by immediately removing PTSD, panic disorder, and depression are additional things Carr thinks should be included in medical marijuana laws.
There are already some cannabis-based medications on the market, and according to Carr, those are sufficient for those in need, such as chemotherapy-treated cancer patients and people with other severe conditions.
“FDA-approved medications derived from cannabis already exist. Patients can access them if they have conditions for which cannabis, specifically CBD and THC, can be helpful “Carr outlined. Real studies reveal that cannabis does not treat any conditions and is not a valid aid in treating almost any ailment.
Indications for medical marijuana include autism, Crohn’s disease, HIV weight loss, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, Tourette’s syndrome, and more. The public won’t be able to buy medical marijuana openly in dispensaries in Alabama. No smokeable marijuana will be allowed in Alabama; they must have a prescription or an Alabama Medical Cannabis card to buy it.
The use of medical marijuana in pills, creams, patches, and other non-leafy formulations will be legal. On each dispensary’s property, cannabis-related activities would be prohibited. Probably toward the end of the year, Alabama’s first dispensary will open.