HB25 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Barton

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Children First Trust Fund, appropriations from for fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, use of allocation pursuant to Section 41-15B-2.2 and this act, tobacco settlement revenues deposited in fund within 30 days of receipt, Finance Director to notify each agency of allocation, appropriations conditional on tobacco revenues, appropriation of additional tobacco settlement funds, audit, Children's Affairs Department to report to Legislature and Children's Policy Council, appropriations from General Fund to various entities contingent upon adoption of const. amend. proposed by SB147, 2012 Reg. Sess.

Summary

HB25 creates a regulated framework to authorize medical marijuana for patients with debilitating conditions, using registry cards, designated caregivers, and nonprofit centers to obtain and use cannabis under strict rules.

What This Bill Does

It legalizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions and establishes a registration system with registry identification cards for patients, primary caregivers, and nonprofit compassion center staff. It sets possession, cultivation, and distribution limits, requires secure enclosed facilities, and allows designated caregivers or centers to assist patients within those limits. It provides legal protections for cardholders and caregivers acting under the act, outlines penalties for fraud or noncompliance, and directs the Department of Public Health to create rules, oversee centers, and report on the program.

Who It Affects

• Qualifying patients diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition who may use and possess marijuana under registry card protections and physician certification (minors require parental consent and designated caregiver involvement).
• Primary caregivers who assist patients (up to three patients per caregiver) and may cultivate or assist with use within set limits and security requirements.
• Nonprofit compassion centers registered to cultivate and distribute medical marijuana to designated patients, with oversight, security, and residency requirements for leadership.
• Physicians who provide written certifications supporting medical use and are protected from penalties for issuing such certifications when following professional standards.

Key Provisions

• Designates the act as the Michael Phillips Compassionate Care Act and authorizes medical use of marijuana for qualifying patients with debilitating medical conditions.
• Defines key terms (qualifying patient, debilitating medical condition, primary caregiver, registered compassion center, registry card, usable marijuana, etc.).
• Creates a registry identification card system for patients, caregivers, and compassion center staff with defined information, issuance timelines, renewals, and confidentiality protections.
• Sets possession and cultivation limits: up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and up to six mature and six immature plants per patient (with caregiver and center rules), all kept in enclosed, locked facilities;
• Allows designated caregivers or nonprofit centers to cultivate for patients, with limits per patient and required secure facilities; only one cultivator per patient unless otherwise designated.
• Establishes nonprofit compassion centers (up to three) with registration, governance, background checks, security, record keeping, and annual certification requirements; centers must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
• Public and workplace protections: cardholders and caregivers cannot be discriminated against solely for using medical marijuana; restrictions apply in schools, workplaces, and public safety contexts as specified.
• Provides protections for patients in medical care (e.g., organ transplantation) and for custody/visitation rights, with certain caveats.
• Authorizes department rulemaking, public petitions to add conditions, fee structures to offset program costs, and annual reporting to the Legislature while protecting confidentiality.
• Imposes penalties for fraud and noncompliance, including civil violations for failure to report changes and potential card revocation for center personnel.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Children First Trust Fund