A group studying medical cannabis heard pros and cons today at an Alabama State House hearing and began discussions of a draft version of a bill to introduce to the Legislature early next year.
Bertha Madras, a professor in neuroscience at Harvard University, told the Medical Cannabis Study Commission that the overall body of research shows the risks of legalizing medical cannabis outweigh any demonstrated benefits. Madras said cannabis should be subject to the same Federal Drug Administration approval process as prescription drugs and not be authorized by legislation.
Dr. Alan Shackelford, a physician from Colorado, told the panel stories and showed video about the benefits his patients have received from medical cannabis. Shackelford pointed to research that weighs in favor of legalization.
Barry Matson, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, urged lawmakers to put as many safeguards in the legislation as possible to try to minimize abuse.
Read more at al.com
