Perhaps you’ve seen the headlines and perhaps you’re intrigued. Alabama physicians appear to be on the precipice of certifying patients to obtain medical cannabis for certain qualifying conditions. Assuming the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission issues at least one cannabis dispensary license at its meeting on January 8, which it is widely expected to do, that
This morning, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission voted unanimously to issue dispensary licenses to four applicants. Absent a stay entered by a court or the commission, three of those licenses will be issued on January 8, 2026. Those three are GP6 Wellness LLC, RJK Holdings LLC, and CCS of Alabama LLC. Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries LLC
Sportscaster Jim McKay famously said that “our greatest hopes and worst fears are seldom realized.” When the federal government enacted a law that, on its face, would essentially eradicate the consumable hemp industry in America, my first reaction was great sadness for those I had gotten to know in the industry and those millions of
Shock. Grief. Dismay. Desperation. Just a few of the emotions I have encountered during countless phone calls and meetings with stakeholders in the hemp industry since the federal government enacted a law that would essentially ban all of the consumable hemp industry.
I have heard for years that Congress needed to “close the loophole” created
The Traveling Wilburys – perhaps the musical supergroup most aligned with the mood and spirit of the Budding Trends blog – tell us that it’s all right to live the life you please. The state of Alabama, however, has determined that the End of the Line for unregulated consumable hemp is January 1, 2026.
As
Late Thursday, an administrative law judge (ALJ) in Montgomery issued a Recommended Order naming GP6 Wellness, LLC, RJK Holdings, LLC, CCS of Alabama, LLC, and Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, LLC as “the four most suitable applicants for a Dispensary License from the Commission.”
Capitol Medical, LLC was also deemed suitable, and in fact had been named
You’re awake. This is real. Yes, the federal government just passed a law that, if it goes into effect in its current form in a year, will essentially destroy the non-industrial hemp industry as it exists today. So now what?
I suspect it will take some longer than others to process the shock. While anti-hemp
For the past eight months, cannabis operators and consumers in Texas — and nationwide — have closely watched the state’s hemp debate. As the second most populous state, Texas’ approach to consumable hemp is seen as a bellwether: How it regulates testing, labeling, and youth access could shape not only neighboring states’ policies but
Mississippi is no stranger to criticism or being the butt of jokes alleging its inability or refusal to adapt with the times. And, while some of these stereotypes have some support, Mississippi is quietly silencing some of its critics by becoming a pioneer in the plant-based medicine realm.
Beginning in 1968, Mississippi claimed host to
As the hallowed cannabis holiday for stoners-turned-business-entrepreneurs falls upon us, we find ourselves in the shifting sands of change in the cannabis industry as usual. Not surprisingly, many states have seen legislation brought to the table, decisions made at the courts, and commentary presented by politicians that will directly impact cannabis businesses, medical marijuana dispensaries