The Mobile City Council has voted to allow medical cannabis dispensaries in the city, capping a month of heated debate over the issue.
“Research has proven that [medical marijuana] could finally allow me, and the thousands of Mobilians that suffer along with me, the opportunity to live the rest of our days, weeks, months and years without pain,” Sara McCoy, a resident of Mobile who struggles with chronic nerve pain, said during the meeting.
The council voted 5-2 in favor of the ordinance. Councilmembers Ben Reynolds and Scott Jones were the only “no” votes. The council’s other five members –Council President C.J. Small, Vice President Gina Gregory, Councilmembers Cory Penn, William Carroll and Joel Daves—were sponsors of the ordinance.
Tuesday’s debate was marred by procedural confusion and frustration. Initially, Daves had moved to adopt the ordinance, but during a discussion period, Reynolds moved to postpone voting on the ordinance until Valentine’s Day. Small and others objected, saying that Daves’ initial motion needed to be addressed before Reynolds could make his. The council attorney concurred.
Reynolds and Jones scoffed at this decision, saying that the council had done similar procedural moves before. Small said that Daves needed to withdraw his motion before Reynolds could make his motion. Arguing ensued.
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