By MIKE CASON, al.com

The qualifications of the dispensers who will manage the sales of medical marijuana products in Alabama are still to be determined for the state’s new industry.

In some states, pharmacists dispense medical cannabis products. It’s unclear whether that will be the case in Alabama. Nothing in the law or regulations passed so far indicates that pharmacists will be involved.

Pharmacist Sam Blakemore of Birmingham, a member of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, is spearheading the development of qualifications for certified dispensers.

Blakemore said there is an expanding body of science about medical cannabis and that certified dispensers need a solid base of knowledge even if they are not pharmacists.

“Understanding the science is going to be a big part for these certified dispensers in the foundational education because I want them to understand how this stuff works,” Blakemore said. “Then they’ll be able to give appropriate consultations to the patient and/or be able to refer them back to the physician. So I think the more pharmacology, the more science that these certified dispensers have, the better off everybody is.”

Alabama became the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis when the Legislature approved a bill last year. It will be an intrastate business, with cannabis grown and products made in Alabama. The legislation created the 14-member AMCC for oversight.

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