The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) has awarded a state testing laboratory license to Green Health Laboratories, located in Foley. This decision, made during a meeting on Tuesday, follows the reopening of the application process after Certus Laboratories opted not to renew its license due to financial issues stemming from ongoing legal disputes, according to AMCC Director John McMillan.
McMillan noted that Certus Laboratories decided against renewing its costly annual license fee given the uncertainties related to its litigation. As a result, Green Health Laboratories emerged as the only applicant after the AMCC reopened the application window specifically for state testing labs.
Green Health Laboratories will be the sole medical cannabis testing facility in Alabama until the AMCC decides to reopen applications again. Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of testing laboratory licenses the commission may issue in the future.
In February, the AMCC opened a month-long application period, during which it received five requests. However, only Green Health Laboratories completed the application process. A public comment period, which concluded on June 15, did not yield any feedback from the public.
The decision to award the license came after Green Health Laboratories president Brandon Biles and laboratory director Natalie Siracusa presented their facility to the AMCC on June 12. During their presentation, they emphasized their commitment to patient safety and regulatory compliance. AMCC Chair Rex Vaughn commented positively on their presentation, stating, ‘That was an interesting presentation. I thought they did a great job. So, we’re glad to have Green Health Laboratories present for us.’
Vaughn also highlighted the lab’s role in ensuring safe dispensing of cannabis products in Alabama, as it will serve as the only testing lab in the state. During the presentation, commission member and pharmacist Sam Blakemore raised concerns regarding quality control, specifically in relation to heavy metals and fungi. Biles and Siracusa assured the commission that they would be prepared to conduct on-site collections and testing promptly should any issues arise.
Under Alabama’s medical cannabis law, enacted in 2021, physicians can recommend cannabis for patients with qualifying conditions such as chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, and cancer-related pain. The law permits the dispensing of cannabis in various forms, including tablets, tinctures, patches, oils, and gummies, though only peach-flavored options are allowed. Notably, the use of raw cannabis plant material remains prohibited.
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