Medical cannabis company wants to know how licensees were chosen

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is looking over how it handed out licenses to grow, distribute and sell the drug. Licenses were handed out last month. Within just a few days, they were put on pause to review how the companies were selected. It's believed there were inconsistencies with how companies were graded. The decision to allow medical cannabis in Alabama was approved in 2021. Officials hoped to have it available by the end of the year or the beginning of 2024. Now that timeline has likely been pushed back. So far, the commission has not said what the problem may have been. Now one of the companies that was denied a license is giving WVTM13 an inside look at its operation. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13 The owners at Alabama Always believe their application should've been approved. Now, they're calling on the commission to clarify how they chose the companies that were approved.Greg Gerdeman is the Chief Scientific Officer at Alabama Always. A company hoping to become a medical cannabis grower, producer, transporter and distributor. He's a biologist who truly believes in the product. Gerdeman says, “My whole professional career was changed by seeing the value that medical cannabis gives to patients who are suffering, who are looking for that respect and dignity and treating their chronic and debilitating illnesses.”But Gerdeman’s company was not one of the almost two dozen chosen to receive the first licenses in the state. Investors have already spent about five million dollars on the facility in West Montgomery. Now they've filed a lawsuit to find out exactly how the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission decided which companies would become part of this brand-new industry.Ben McNeill is an investor and on the board of directors for Alabama Always. He says, “We encourage that the veil to be lifted for complete openness and transparency in this process. Let's do the right thing the right way for not only the applicants but for the people of Alabama who are in need.”They say part of the selection process should've been an inspection of their facility, but no one from the commission has done that. Will Somerville is the company’s attorney. He says, “They just need to do their job review the actual applicants, review the sites, and make a decision based on the criteria that are set forth in the statute. Unless the commission comes out and makes an actual decision based on its expertise, then it could go on forever.” Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeThe company is moving forward with construction, hopeful when the commission re-evaluates applicants, they will become a part of Alabama’s new medical cannabis industry. If they are licensed, company leaders say they can be up and running in 60 days and be able to produce medical cannabis products within four months.