Good evening. Here's what's moving in the world of medical cannabis today.
Alabama patients finally gain access to authorised medical cannabis after years of delays
Patients in Alabama can now legally purchase authorised medical cannabis products, following years of regulatory delays that had kept the programme in limbo. The state's medical cannabis commission confirmed that licensed dispensaries began serving registered patients from today.
NORML deputy director Paul Armentano said in a statement: "Starting today, lawmakers, regulators, and licensed providers must begin putting patients’ needs first." The programme, originally approved by the state legislature in 2021, had been stalled by legal challenges and administrative disputes over licensing.
Kentucky governor signs executive order to widen medical cannabis access
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has issued an executive order expanding access to medical cannabis in the state. The emergency regulation, announced on 3 June, broadens the conditions eligible for treatment and streamlines the registration process for patients.
"This emergency regulation will help more Kentuckians reclaim their lives through safe, nonaddictive medical cannabis," Governor Beshear said. The order comes ahead of the state's planned permanent medical cannabis programme, which is expected to be fully operational later this year.
Alaska lawmakers pass cannabis record sealing bill to governor
Alaska's legislature has approved a bill that would allow individuals to apply for the sealing of past cannabis-related criminal records. The measure now awaits the governor's signature to become law.
"Sealing these records from public view is a logical and overdue step and will provide Alaskans with greater access to jobs, housing, education, and other economic opportunities," the bill's sponsors said in a joint statement. The legislation covers convictions for activities that are no longer illegal under state law, including possession and cultivation.
Study reveals tobacco industry tactics used to market ultra-processed foods
A new issue of the American Journal of Public Health has examined how major tobacco companies applied strategies developed for cigarette marketing to promote ultra-processed foods. The research highlights parallels in advertising, lobbying, and targeting vulnerable populations.
While not directly about cannabis, the findings are relevant to medical cannabis policy as regulators increasingly scrutinise how commercial interests influence public health outcomes. The study underscores the importance of evidence-based regulation in emerging markets.
