208_ What Happened to Cannabis in Alabama?

Like many Southern states, Alabama developed a strong hemp market while access to legal marijuana remained extremely limited.My guest, Jennifer Boozer Stewart, opened CannaBama, the state’s first CBD shop, in 2018. She hosts a radio show focused on the plant and the endocannabinoid system and has spent years advocating at the State House.But Alabama allowed the hemp market to grow largely unchecked before imposing restrictions that put responsible, self-regulating businesses like Jennifer’s out of business.At the same time, the state’s medical program has barely gotten off the ground. There are only a handful of dispensaries, and women of childbearing age are required to undergo monthly pregnancy testing to maintain their certification.Jennifer and I talk about what happened in Alabama, what the state got wrong, and where the industry goes from here. The Innovating Cannabis podcast is produced and hosted by Pam Chmiel, a freelance writer and editor for the Cannabis Industry Journal. Get in touch with pam@InnovatingCannabisPodcast.com.LinkedIn Twitter InstagramPlease like the show to help us reach more listeners🙏🏻 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.