Patients, doctors push for the opening of medical cannabis dispensaries in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - It’s been three years since the state legislature legalized medical marijuana, but patients still don’t have access to the treatment. Alabama’s doctors say their hands are tied.

Lawsuits between companies wanting to open medical marijuana dispensaries and the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission have brought the rollout of the substance to a halt.

“My patients bring it up all the time, ‘when are we going to get it doc, when is it going to happen,’” said Alabama doctor Marshall Walker.

At a meeting with patients and doctors in front of a cannabis clinic waiting to open in Montgomery, physicians from out of state spoke on how they’re using the substance for good.

“I’ve watched a mother give their child medical cannabis and the seizures stopped for the first time,” said Corey Hebert, a doctor from Louisiana.

Hebert says cannabis has been a successful form of treatment for veterans with chronic pain or PTSD.

He adds that the natural drug shows to not be addictive. Plus, unlike a number of drugs, a patient cannot overdose on it.

“Every time I give a patient an opioid prescription, I feel like I’m doing harm. We have to have medications and options so people can still get the relief that they need,” said Hebert.

One doctor mentioned that since 9/11, over 7,000 in the US military have died in combat, while 40,000 have died by suicide. Doctors at this meeting say they can curb this problem with medical cannabis and help many others with chronic pain.

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