The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission redid its initial round of licensing on August 10, 2023, leaving some of the initial winners, such as Verano Holdings, now without a license to operate in the state.
Verano in June was awarded one of the five licenses for vertically integrated businesses in the state. The Medical Cannabis Commission initially greenlit 21 applicants to move ahead in the licensing process, but then indefinitely suspended the licensing process just days later, citing potential discrepancies in the applicant assessment process.
The commission’s decision to completely reissue all the licenses stripped a vertical integration license from Verano Holdings, a transportation license from Alabama Secure Transport, a cultivation license from James Gang Dispensary, and a testing license from ALA Labs.
Insa Alabama received the license that had originally been granted to Verano.
In an email to Green Market Report, Verano called the decision an “arbitrary and capricious action” and claimed the company had received the highest score of all the applicants in the state.
The commission also awarded licenses to the following 24 winners: TheraTrue Alabama, Sustainable Alabama, Insa Alabama, Flowerwood Medical Cannabis and Southeast Cannabis Company received vertical integration licenses; Greenway Botanicals, I AM FARMS, Blackberry Farms, CRC of Alabama, Gulf Shore Remedies, Pure by Simon Farms and Twisted Herb Cultivation received cultivation licenses; Jasper Development Group, Enchanted Green Organic Harvest Lab and 1819 Labs received processing licenses;
Statewide Property Holdings, RJK Holdings, CCS of Alabama and Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries received retail licenses; International Communication, XLCR and Tyler Van Lines received transportation licenses; and Certus Laboratory received a testing lab license.
— Patrick Wagner