From The Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers are holding a public hearing on medical marijuana legislation and one Alabama father is watching the legislature closely.
The House Judiciary Committee will discuss the Senate-passed bill Wednesday afternoon.
The bill by Republican Sen. Tim Melson would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a doctor. The Alabama Senate approved the bill by a 21-8 vote last month. However, the House of Representatives has previously been more skeptical of medical marijuana proposals.
People could get a doctor’s recommendation to use medical marijuana for 17 types of conditions — including cancer, anxiety, epilepsy, menopause, a terminal illness and chronic pain.
Former police officer Dustin Chandler, of Hoover, is well known for championing causes for his daughter, Carly, who was diagnosed with a seizure disorder in 2012. Chandler said he has been hoping this bill would pass since he helped lead the group that wrote it two years ago.
“They came together and created the Medical Cannabis Commission,” said Chandler. “They brought together law enforcement, agriculture people, physicians, pediatric neurologists and they all voted to put forth the bill last year, but it was pushed back by the pandemic.
“I truly believe that if the lawmakers and the people of Alabama look at the bill and know what it’s trying to do, I think they will do the right thing and pass the bill. ”
The bill, Chandler said, is not a step towards the recreational use of marijuana, but rather a bill to try and get people much-needed relief from many ailments. He said the bill provides many regulations on the use of marijuana.
“I think the biggest thing that would prevent this from happening is fear,” Chandler said. “I hope lawmakers look at this and I know they want to help people. I hope they are not in fear of the ‘what if’ game. I hope they look at, ‘what if we don’t give people the help they need?”
Carly, who is 10-years-old, takes CBD oil treatment that Chandler said has helped decrease the frequency and duration of seizures.
“I want other people to get help like my daughter got help,” Chandler added.
Chandler has helped those with disabilities in other ways. He helped bring an all-inclusive playground to the city of Hoover and now he focuses on equipping police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, with the knowledge they need to improve situations between first responders and the special needs community. You can read more about his recent training with the Trussville Police Department by clicking here.
The bill will have to go through the House Health Committee if it makes it out of the Judiciary Committee. The medical marijuana bill would allow marijuana in forms such as pills, skin patches and creams but not in smoking or vaping products.