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The Greenville City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 2022-03, a measure pertaining to medical cannabis dispensing sites,  during its Dec. 12 meeting.

The approval of the ordinance signifies the city’s willingness to be a host site for a medical cannabis dispensary within the state.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 46, the Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall Compassion Act, into law May 17, 2021. According to guidance provided in the law, no more than five companies will hold an integrated license, only 12 cultivator licenses will be granted and only four processor, and dispensary licenses will be awarded in the state.

By announcing its openness to hosting a site, Greenville puts itself in competition with Birmingham, Mobile, Montgomery, and many others for the opportunity to host a dispensary..

If the city is chosen as a host, medical cannabis dispensary sites  must be within the corporate limits of Greenville.

According to Alabama law: a dispensing site may not operate in the unincorporated area of a county or in a municipality that has not adopted a resolution or ordinance authorizing the operation of dispensing sites under (SS)20-2A-51 of the 1975 Code of Alabama.

District 3 Councilmember Joseph West asked Greenville Police Chief Justin Lovvorn how the decision could impact the police department.

“It will not be anything the officers can’t handle,” Lovvorn said.

District 5 Councilmember Boris Thigpen asked Lovvorn if medical cannabis is treated in the same manner as a doctor giving an opioid prescription. 

“Yes, it is the same,” Lovvorn said.

District 1 Councilmember Bryan Reynolds said the type of medical cannabis available would not be the kind a person smokes.

According to SB46, the approved methods of receiving medical cannabis are through the following means:

• Capsules,
• Creams for topical use,
• Gels,
• Liquids or oils for use in an inhaler,
• Nebulizers,    
• Oils,
• Suppositories,
• Tablets,
• Tinctures, and
• Transdermal patches

If approved, medical cannabis dispensary sites  must be within the corporate limits of the city of Greenville.

According to Alabama law: a dispensing site may not operate in the unincorporated area of a county or in a municipality that has not adopted a resolution or ordinance authorizing the operation of dispensing sites under (SS)20-2A-51 of the 1975 Code of Alabama.