Cannabis Commission can proceed as companies continue to poke at scoring system

Multiple companies asked a Montgomery court to halt the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission once again due to the commission’s continued use of third-party scoring.

Judge James Anderson denied that request Monday, allowing the commission to proceed with its new procedures and timelines. 

However, Anderson will still be hearing a motion on the use of the scores.

But a request by Specialty Medical Products of Alabama for a preliminary injunction and declaration that the scoring system cannot be used will move forward.

Lawyers for the company, as well as main litigant Alabama Always, brought witnesses to combat the scoring system. 

Alabama Always brought Greg Gerdeman, chief scientific officer for the company, testified that scores were too subjective to be relied on.

Ray French, CEO of Specialty Medical Products, pointed to widely varying scores between two evaluators for the company.

Counsel for AMCC continued to argue the scores are allowable as a tool to help commissioners choose applicants.