HB61 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Mike Ball
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Cannabidiol, possession and use of for certain debilitating conditions allowed, Leni's Law
Summary: HB61, known as Leni's Law, expands and permanently protects the CBD affirmative defense for certain debilitating conditions and broadens who can use CBD.
What This Bill Does
It expands the affirmative defense to unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree to include cannabidiol (CBD) used for a debilitating medical condition diagnosed by a physician in a bona fide physician-patient relationship, if the CBD provides therapeutic relief. It also makes the defense available to parents or legal guardians possessing CBD for a minor prescribed CBD, removing the requirement that CBD be prescribed by health care practitioners employed by UAB. The bill eliminates the sunset repeal of the defense (making it permanent), sets prescription authority to the UAB Department, and includes protections for families and ongoing UAB-led CBD research; it also prohibits child removal from the home solely for CBD possession and specifies certain filing requirements for prosecutions. The act becomes effective in the standard time frame after governor approval and is exempt from certain local-funds restrictions due to its nature as amending a crime definition.

Who It Affects
Individuals diagnosed with a debilitating medical condition who use CBD under a bona fide physician-patient relationship and could use it to relieve symptoms without facing prosecution for second-degree marijuana possession.
Parents or legal guardians of minors who have a CBD prescription and may possess CBD on the minor's behalf for therapeutic use.

Key Provisions
Expands the affirmative defense to include CBD used for debilitating medical conditions diagnosed by a physician in a bona fide physician-patient relationship, with therapeutic or pallative relief.
Extends the defense to parents or legal guardians of minors prescribed CBD, removing the requirement that CBD be prescribed by health care practitioners employed by UAB.
Eliminates the sunset repeal of the CBD affirmative defense, making it permanent (and clarifying that CBD prescriptions must be through the UAB Department).
Defines key terms (Authorized by the UAB Department, Debilitating Medical Condition, Debilitating Epileptic Condition, UAB Department) and sets prescription control primarily to the UAB Department.
Prohibits child removal from the home solely due to CBD possession or use as authorized by this section.
Provides that UAB Department and its affiliated personnel are not subject to prosecution for CBD-related activities arising from prescription or treatment of eligible individuals.
Requires the UAB Department to conduct a research and development study on medical uses and benefits of CBD for debilitating epileptic conditions.
Specifies that prosecutions must show a valid prescription and related documentation, including the prescribing professional, under rules of procedure.

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