>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

FROM OUR STATEHOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M DON DAILEY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE HOUSE TODAY APPROVED A PILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE, AND, AMID SEVERAL DELAYS AND BEHIND THE SCENES MANEUVERING, LAWMAKERS WERE NEGOTIATING ON A GAMBLING PLAN.

SOME WERE REPORTEDLY CALLING FOR A LOTTERY-ONLY PLAN AND OTHERS WANTED TO EXPAND ON THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE GAMBLING PROCEEDS.

REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OF PHENIX CITY CARRIED THE GAMBLING PLAN AND SPENT THE WEEK PROMOTING IT.

>> WE WOULD ESTABLISH THE ALABAMA EDUCATION LOTTERY.

WE WOULD ALSO -- THAT WOULD BE ADMINISTERED BY THE ALABAMA EDUCATION LOTTERY CORPORATION.

THE AMENDMENT WOULD ALLOW A LOTTERY CASINO STYLE, BINGO AND RAFFLE SUBJECT TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND SUPERVISION OF THE COMMISSION.

WE WILL ALSO ESTABLISH THE ALABAMA GAMBLING REGULATORY COMMISSION MADE UP OF 7 MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THREE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE OTHERS APPOINTED FROM A LIST OF THREE BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADERSHIP IN BOTH BODIES.

>> STILL THERE WERE A NUMBER OF HOUSE MEMBERS WHO EXPRESSED A MYRIAD OF CONCERNS OVER THE GAMBLING LEGISLATION.

SOME HAD MORALITY CONCERNS.

SOME WANTED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND OTHERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE PLAN WOULD AFFECT EXISTING GAMBLING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN SOME COUNTIES.

REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY OF MORRIS TELL "CAPITOL JOURNAL" THAT HE FELT THE GAMBLING PLAN WAS TOO MUCH TOO QUICKLY.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF FOLKS THAT THOUGHT IT WAS RUSHED AT THE LAST MINUTE BECAUSE WE FELT IT HAD DIED IN THE SENATE.

THEN IT WAS RESURRECTED AND THEN NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT'S IN THE HOUSE WITH A FEW DAYS TO GO IN THE SESSION.

A LOT OF WORK HAD TO BE DONE OPEN THE BILL.

SO THERE WERE CONCERNS THERE.

STILL IS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE TREADAWAY WILL JOIN US SHORTLY TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE ISSUE.

MEANTIME ATTORNEY GENERAL STEVE MARSHALL WAS WATCHING TODAY'S GAMBLING DEVELOPMENTS WITH INTEREST.

MARSHAL, WHO HAS NOT BEEN A GAMBLING PROPONENT WAS ASKED TODAY ABOUT THE WORKS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF GAMBLING LAWS ACROSS THE STATE.

IT HAS TAKEN SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES FOR US AND WORKING WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE FACT THAT THERE IS CORRUPTION IN THAT AREA; THAT WE BELIEVE THERE'S SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT GAMBLING ACROSS THE STRAIGHT.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY SAID HE HOPED LAWMAKERS REACHED A REAL ON A COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN SO IT COULD ULTIMATELY GO TO THE STATE'S VOTERS.

>> A BILL TO LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY AND IT WOULD ALLOW THOSE WITH QUALIFYING CONDITIONS TO BE PRESCRIBED THE DRUG UNDER TIGHTLY CONTROLLED CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE MEASURE WOULD REGULATE THE GROWING, PROCESSING AND DISPENSING OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

IT'S LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT FOR THREE YEARS AND WAS CARRIED IN THE HOUSE BY REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BALANCE OF MADISON, WHO TALKED TODAY ABOUT HOW HAPPY HE WAS THAT IT FINALLY GOT OUT.

>> I KNEW THAT EVERY YEAR THAT WE DELAY GETTING HELP TO PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THERE ARE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF IT.

AND WE HAVE STILL GOT ANOTHER YEAR OR SO BEFORE THIS GETS SET UP AND CRANKED UP.

BUT AT LEAST WE HAVE HOPE NOW.

>> WITH TODAY'S HOUSE APPROVAL, THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION WENT TO THE SENATE FOR CONCURRENCE BEFORE GOING TO GOVERNOR KAY IVEY FOR HER SITTING.

THERE WAS A LOT OF FILIBUSTERING FROM OPPONENTS IN THE LEADUP TO TODAY.

THEY RAISED NUMEROUS CONCERNS.

ONE IN PARTICULAR MORE THAN OTHERS.

REPRESENTATIVE JIM CARNES OF VESTAVIA HILLS SPOKE TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ABOUT IT.

>> MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A GATEWAY DRUG AND LEADS TO A LOT OF THINGS DOWN THE ROAD.

ONCE THE STATE OF ALABAMA ADOPTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA IT'S A MATTER OF JUST A FEW YEARS BEFORE BEGET TO RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

WE'RE SETTING UP AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM TO GROW, DELIVER, AND PROCESS AND GET IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR WHAT IS RIGHT NOW A FEDERAL ILLEGAL DRUG.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CARNES WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE BROADCAST TO TALK MORE ABOUT HIS CONCERNS OVER TODAY'S HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE WES ALLEN OF TROY TOOK TO THE STATEHOUSE STEPS TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE WILL RUPP FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION OF ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE NEXT YEAR.

ALLEN IS A FIRST-TERM LAWMAKERS AND A FORMER PROBATE JUDGE IN PIKE COUNTY WHERE HE OVERSAW NUMEROUS LOCAL ELECTIONS.

>> THERE'S NO OFFICE WITH MORE IMPACT ON OUR ELECTIONS IN ALABAMA THAN THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.

WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN THE COURTHOUSES.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTED POSITIONS WE HAVE SON OUR BALLOTS.

I'M NOT GOING TO NEED ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

I WILL BE ABLE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY AND THE SECURITY OF OUR ELECTIONS FROM DAY ONE.

FOR THAT REASON I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT I AM SEEKING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE GREAT STATE OF ALABAMA.

>> ALLEN IS SO FAR THE FIRST CANDIDATE TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE WILL RUN FOR THE OFFICE NEXT YEAR.

>> GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TODAY JOINED HER COLLEAGUES AROUND THE COUNTRY IN OBSERVING THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER.

IN A VIDEO RELEASED BY HER OFFICE, IVEY ASKED STATE RESIDENTS TO JOIN HER IN PRAYER FOR ALABAMA AND IN THANKFULNESS FOR ENDURING A TOUGH TIME.

>> THROUGHOUT THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE BEEN TESTED IN COUNTLESS WAYS.

YET MANY OF US HAVE DRAWN CLOSER TO OUR FAITH, OVERCOMING ONE OBSTACLE AFTER ANOTHER.

IN LIGHT OF THIS, I URGE YOU TO JOIN ME IN PAUSING TODAY TO PRAY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR LEADERS, OUR FAMILIES AND EACH OTHER.

>> GOV.

IVEY SAID THAT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES SHE FELT ALABAMIANS SHOULD CLING TO THEIR FAITH.

WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN TREADAWAY OF MORRIS BACK WITH US.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> YES, SIR.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE RIOT BILL YOU BROUGHT THIS YEAR AND IT NOT MAKING IT THROUGH THE SENATE.

BEFORE WE GO THERE I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BIG ISSUES BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES TODAY, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND GAMBLING.

LET'S BEGIN WITH GAMBLING.

AS THE BILL WAS WRITTEN YOU HAD ISSUES; RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR I DO.

AND THERE WAS ONE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM SEPARATED.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITIZENS MUCH ALABAMA VOTE ON A CLEAN LOTTERY AND VOTE ON CASINO.

SO THEY'RE MERGED AND I HAVE ISSUES WITH THAT.

AND THEN SOME ISSUES AS IT'S CURRENTLY WRITTEN AS IT PERTAINS TO HOW IT WOULD BE BIDDED OUT.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CLEAN BID PROCESS.

>> DID YOU FEEL LIKE THIS WHOLE PROCESS WAS RUSHED HERE AT THE END OF THE SESSION?

THERE WAS REALLY A CONCERTED EFFORT TO GET THIS TO LAWMAKERS BECAUSE NEXT YEAR IS AN ELECTION YEAR AND IT COULD GO ON THE BALLOT WAS THE THINKING.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF FOLKS THAT THOUGHT IT WAS RUSHED AT THE LAST MINUTE BECAUSE WE FELT IT HAD DIED IN THE SENATE AND THEN IT WAS REDS RECOLLECTED AND NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT'S DOWN NOT HOUSE WITH A FEW DAYS TO GO IN THE SESSION.

SO A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE ON THE BILL.

SO, YEAH, THERE WERE CONCERNS.

THERE STILL IS.

>> WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM THE FOLKS BACK HOME ON THIS ISSUE?

>> THE FOLKS I HEAR BOTH WAYS.

MAINLY, I HEAR FOR A LOTTERY.

EVERYBODY -- IT SEEMS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THE CITIZEN BACK HOME WANT TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY BILL.

SO THAT'S MAINLY WHAT I HEAR.

ME PERSONAL I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITIZENS GET A VOTE ON A CLEAN LOTTERY AND IF WE'RE GOING TO DO CASINOS AND THINGS LIKE THAT IT SHOULD BE TAKEN UP SEPARATELY.

THAT'S HOW I FEEL AND FOLKS BACK HOME FEEL THE SAME WAY.

>> HOW DID YOU RESPOND THAT BRINGING A MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDING SPORTS BETTING AND CASINOS, THAT A LOT OF THESE ACTIVITIES ALREADY EXIST IN ALABAMA, THE ARGUMENT WAS MADE AND THAT WE NEED TO REGULATE THEM AND TAX THEM?

>> WELL THEY'RE NOT GOING TO EXIST AS THEY ARE PROPOSED IN THE BILL BUT GAMBLING DOES HAPPEN IN ALABAMA.

THERE'S NO GETTING AROUND THAT.

BUT SOME OF THE EXISTS, A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD ARGUE, IS CURRENTLY AGAINST THE LAW.

I THINK THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR AND THE CURRENT GOVERNOR HAVE EXECUTIVE ORDERS IN PLACE -- WELL, THE CURRENT GOVERNOR JUST DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, PULL IT, BUT IT ALLOWS IN SOME OF THESE COUNTIES THAT HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO HAVE BINGO OR WHAT SOME FOLKS FEEL IS GAMBLING.

BUT THERE'S OTHERS THANKFUL THAT'S ILLEGAL AND THAT CAN BE PULLED AT ANY TIME WHICH I COULD BE.

>> DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT OF THIS PLAN WAS CRUCIAL.

DEMOCRATS HAD PUSHED PRETTY HARD TO ADD MEDICAID EXPANSION TO THE EQUATION FROM SOME OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE GAMBLING PLAN.

LOCAL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS DEALING WITH GAMING.

THEY WEREN'T PLEASED WITH HOW THOSE WERE ADDRESSED IN THIS LEGISLATION BUT IT BECAME A VERY COMPLICATED ISSUE.

>> RIGHT.

AND IT CURRENTLY IS.

AND THERE WERE FOLKS THAT WANT EXPANSION OF MEDICAID AND FEEL THIS IS A WAY TO FUND IT.

ALSO IN SOME OF THESE COUNTIES, THERE'S CURRENTLY BINGO GOING ON AND THOSE THINGS WILL BE PULLED IF THIS BILL PASS SO HE IS THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE JOBS AND THAT REVENUE THEY'RE CURRENTLY HAVING SO THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AS I HEAR THAT.

SO THERE'S STILL QUITE A BIT OF DIVISION RIGHT NOW ON THE ISSUE.

>> LET'S TURN TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA NOW.

IT PASSED THE CHAMBER TODAY AND YOU WERE A YES VOTE.

>> I WAS.

AND I KNOW THAT MAY SURPRISE SOME FOLKS.

BECAUSE BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RECENTLY RETIRING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> AND YOU WERE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OVER 30 YEARS IN THE STIFF OF BIRMINGHAM AND RETIRED AS AN ASSISTANT CHIEF; RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR.

>> THIRTY-ONE YEARS.

BUT I RECENTLY WENT THROUGH SOMETHING THAT CHANGED MY OPINION ON IT AND THEN THAT WAS MY WIFE HAD RECENTLY PASSED WITH METASTATIC BREAST CANCER AND I WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IT IF I DIDN'T SEE IT BUT THE BENEFITS SHE RECEIVED FROM THE USE OF MARIJUANA WAS SHORT OF AMAZING.

NOTHING ELSE WORKED.

SO MY WHOLE OPINION ON IT CHANGED WITH NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE FACT THAT IT'S CONTROLLED BETTER, PREVIOUS BILLS I HAVE SEEN DID NOT HAVE THE CONTROLS IN PLACE.

IT'S PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR.

IT'S DISPENSED BE A PHARMACIST.

THOSE THINGS WERE NOT IN PLAY BEFORE SO THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS IN PLAY THAT MOVES TO GO, IT'S TIME THAT WE NO LONGER DENY THIS FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO REALLY NEED IT.

LET'S BE HONEST.

JUST ABOUT ANYBODY CAN GET MARIJUANA ANYWHERE THEY WANT HAD TO GET IT.

THE FOLKS THAT DON'T WANT TO BREAK THE LAW AND ARE IN END STAGES AND DYING AND HAVE AN AILMENT THAT COULD BE OFFICIALLY IN USE OF THIS ARE BEING DENIED.

SO I HOPE THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN IT INTO LAW.

>> YOUR WIFE'S EXPERIENCE WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA, IT IMPROVED HER QUALITY OF LIFE AT THE END.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN IT CAME TO HER APPETITE AND -- LET'S BACK UP.

IT WASN'T MEDICAL MARIJUANA BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

BUT I BELIEVE SOME CLOSE FRIENDS WERE HELPING HER OUT THERE IN THE END, AND I HAVE WATCHED IT FIRSTHAND WHERE SHE WOULDN'T EAT AND HAVEN'T EATEN FOR DAYS AND TOOK A PILL FORM AND IN NO TIME SHE IS EATING.

ALL OTHER MEDICATION DID NOT WORK.

YOU HEAR THESE STORIES.

YOU'RE SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL OF THEM BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST.

I WATCHED IT FIRSTHAND AND IT WAS VERY BENEFICIAL TO MY WIFE.

AND THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR THE PASSAGE OF THIS BILL.

>> LET'S SPEND THE LAST FEW MINUTES TALKING ABOUT YOUR RIOT BILL THIS YEAR.

IT AT THE BOTTOM OUT OF THE HOUSE AND NEVER MADE IT THROUGH SENATE COMMITTEE.

IT PROVED TO BE CONTROVERSIAL BUT IT SPRUNG FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THE RIOTS IN BIRMINGHAM LAST YEAR DURING THE RACIAL UNREST OVER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH.

YOU PROPOSED SOME NEW CRIMES UNDER STATE LAW WHERE RIOTING IS CONCERNED AND TIGHTENED THE BELT OF OUR CURRENT LAWS WHERE RIOTING IS CONCERNED.

THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE PUSH BACK.

I KNOW YOU MUST BE DISAPPOINTED IT DIDN'T MOVE.

>> I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED.

I WILL PREFILE IT AND BRING IT BACK NEXT SESSION.

THERE WERE ISSUES AND WE WORKED ON IT WITH DEMOCRATS AS FAR AS THE DEFINITION AND OTHER AREAS.

IT WAS UNDER NO ILLUSION THEY WOULD SUPPORT THE BILL BUT I WANTED EVERYBODY TO KNOW WHERE I WAS COMING FROM.

THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT POLICE.

WE NEED TO SUPPORT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY HE THE BILL SAID YOU WILL ASSAULT OR INJURY PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS AND WE'RE GOING TO RATCH IT UP.

THERE WERE DEFICIENCIES THAT DIDN'T ADDRESS THIS LIKE WHO IS FUNDING THIS AND WHO IS COMING IN THE NIGHT BEFORE AND PLANTING INCENDIARY DEVICES, SLEDGE HAMMERS AND BRICKS AND GASOLINE IN THE CASE OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM.

AND THEN WHO IS DOING THAT?

WHO IS BEHIND THAT?

WE DIDN'T HAVE REALLY SUFFICIENT LAWS ON THE BOOKS.

SHUTTING AN INTERSTATE DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET FOLKS TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT COULD BE YOU STUCK ON THE INTERSTATE AND NOT ABLE TO GET THERE.

I BELIEVE IN THE BILL AND IT WAS THE ONLY BILL IN THE HOUSE THAT HAD A CAUCUS POSITION.

AND 100% OF THE REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR IT AND IT WAS 75-26.

SO IT HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT AND IT REACHED A SENATE AND A VERY DISAPPOINTED IT DIDN'T EVEN GET A HEARING IN A COMMITTEE.

SO I WILL BRING IT BACK AND HOPE THAT IT WILL GET ADDRESSED NEXT SESSION.

>> TIME IS SHORT.

BEFORE WE CLOSE, THE OPPONENTS RAISED CONCERNS OF IT POSSIBLY STIFLING FREE SPEECH AND PEACEFUL PROTESTS.

>> I THINK I WORKED WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ON THAT.

IF YOU READ THE BILL THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THERE HAS TO BE A CURFEW SITUATION IN PLACE OR LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO GIVE A LAW FIRM DISPERSAL WARNING WHICH WE DO.

AND YOU HAVE TO START RIOTING AND LOOTING AND ASSAULTING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL.

THEN IT KICKS IN.

I DON'T KNOW WHO WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT.

AND IT STRENGTHENS IT.

IT ALLOWS FOR 24-HOUR HOLD WITH FOLKS THAT ARE RIOTING AND THE PURPOSE OF THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE STATE THIS LAST SUMMER.

FOLKS ARE BEING BONDED OUT AND ALLOWED TO COME RIGHT BACK OUT, START RIGHT BACK INTO RIOTING AND WE DON'T HAVE THE FIRES PUT OUT YET.

THIS IS THE SUPPORT POLICE, SUPPORT FIRE AND PROTECT NOT ONLY CITIZENS BUT PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTESTERS.

I'M A FIRST AMENDMENT -- BELIEVER IN THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND I DON'T THINK IT IN ANY WAY HAMPERS THEIR RIGHTS TO TEST AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF ANY OF THAT.

BUT ONCE IT BREAKS DOWN AND ONCE YOU MOVE INTO CREATING THESE TYPES OF CRIMES WE NEED TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER THAT.

>> AND YOU WILL BE BRINGING IT BACK.

>> I WILL.

GOT IT READY TO FILE TODAY FOR THE NEXT SESSION.

>> ALLEN TREADAWAY OF MORRIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> YES, SIR.

>> "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

HE.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST REPRESENTATIVE JAMES CARNES OF VESTAVIA HILLS IS BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH US.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NICE TO BE HERE.

>> A JAM-PACKED PENULTIMATE DAY IN THE HOUSE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE DEALING WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND GAMBLING.

FIRST GAMBLING SINCE IT WAS THE LATE-BREAKING ISSUE TODAY IN THE HOUSE, AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN.

>> I WAS A NO FROM THE VERY GET GO ON THAT.

>> WHAT WERE YOUR MAJOR CONCERNS?

>> WELL, THIS THING WAS PUT TOGETHER VERY QUICKLY.

WE WERE MAILED THE PACKAGE AT 1:20 SATURDAY.

I DIDN'T START READING IT UNTIL LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.

AND IT WAS VERY COMPREHENSIVE.

AND AT THE SAME TIME I WAS HAVING TO GET READY FOR A TUESDAY BATTLE ON THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

SO THIS IS THE 29TH LEGISLATIVE DAY, AND THAT'S A LOT TO COMPREHEND AND TO PROCESS AND TO GET IT RIGHT.

THAT'S VERY HARD TO DO.

>> WERE YOU OF THE ILK -- A LOT OF YOUR COLLEAGUE WHOSE HAD PROBLEMS WITH GAMBLING IN GENERAL SAID THEY AT LEAST SUPPORTED PUTTING SOMETHING BEFORE THE PEOPLE FOR A VOTE.

WHERE WERE YOU WHERE THAT WAS CONCERNED.

>> SINCE I HAVE BEEN LIKED I HAVE BEEN AGAINST GAMBLING.

I FOUGHT AGAINST IT IN 1999 WHEN GOVERNOR SIEGELMAN PASSED IT IN IT WHO US AND IT WAS PAST OF PASSED IN THE SENATE AND WENT TO THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE BECAUSE OUR 1901 CONSTITUTION SAID THERE COULDN'T BE A LOTTERY.

A LOT OF FOLKS FORGOT IN 1999 THE PEOPLE DID VOTE ON A LOTTERY AND IT FAILED.

AND SINCE THERE, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET IT BACK BEFORE THE PEOPLE AND THIS IS ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT THAT.

>> IT'S OFTEN COME UP IN THIS DEBATE THAT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE OF HOW THE PUBLIC WOULD VOTE ON A FUTURE LOTTERY REFERENDUM.

>> I AGREE.

AND I WAS VERY MUCH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE 1999 SITUATION.

AND IT PASSED AND IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER, THEY DID THAT IN OCTOBER AND THAT WAS A MISTAKE.

LOOKING BACKWARDS THEY COULD HAVE DONE IT AT A DIFFERENT TIME AND COULD HAVE DONE IT IN A DAY IN OCTOBER THINKING THAT THE PRO GAMBLING PEOPLE WOULD COME OUT IN MASSES AND VOTE YES AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WOULD THINK IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

THEY MISCALCULATED.

THERE WAS A SUPPOSEDLY $750,000 BUDGET FOR THE PRO GAMBLING GROUP.

THE OTHERS WERE JUST A GROUP MUCH UNORGANIZED CHARGE CHURCHES AND POLITICAL ACTIVISTS THAT DID NOT WANT TO SEE GAMBLING IN THE STATE.

SOMEHOW BETWEEN THE MIDDLE THE SUMMER AND OCTOBER ALL OF THAT COALESCED TOGETHER AND DEFEATED THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

>> WHERE THE PLAN ON THE TABLE IN THIS SESSION WAS CONCERNED I HEAR YOU SAYING YOU THOUGHT IT WAS TOO MUCH TOO FAST.

>> I DID.

VERY MUCH SO.

THIS IS SUCH -- YOU KNOW THIS IS POTENTIALLY A SITUATION THAT CAN CHANGE THE FINER OF THIS STATE.

AND THE SAME THING I WOULD SAY ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA WHEN WE GET THERE.

SO WE SHOULD DO THAT VERY CAREFULLY AND WE SHOULD DO IT WITH EXTREME AMOUNT OF SIFTING THROUGH AND GETTING TO THE VERY BEST LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR PRODUCT.

>> WELL, LET'S MOVE TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA NOW.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE TODAY BUT NOT WITHOUT A LOT OF FILIBUSTERING ON TUESDAY.

AND YOU WERE ONE OF THE NO VOTES ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PHILOSOPHY THERE.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE VERY -- VERY MUCH EITHER YES OR NO ON THIS ISSUE.

VERY FEW PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE YESSES AND THAT HAS BEEN THE MAJORITY, THEY HAVE CASE WHERE IS THEY HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS WHOA FELT LIKE THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY THEY COULD HAVE COMFORT IN THEIR LIVES.

AND I CERTAINLY YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATE THAT.

HOWEVER, IT IS PROVEN MEDICALLY THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A GATEWAY DRUG AND IT LEADS TO A LOT OF THINGS DOWN THE ROAD.

AND I THINK ONCE THE STATE OF ALABAMA ADOPTS MEDICAL MARIJUANA IT'S A MATTER OF JUST A FEW YEARS BEFORE WE GET TO REACTIONAL MARIJUANA.

WE'RE SETTING UP AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM TO GROW, DELIVER, AND PROCESS AND GET IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION FOR WHAT IS RIGHT NOW A FEDERAL ILLEGAL DRUG, WHICH IS CRAZY, SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY FDA APPROVAL.

YOU CAN'T GET IT FROM THE LOCAL DRUGSTORE AND YOU DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE GETTING.

>> YOU WEREN'T CONVINCED WITH THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS THAT WERE BUILT INTO THE LEGISLATION.

>> NOT ANOTHER ALL.

IN FACT, WE HAVE 42 DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

23 OF THOSE, WHICH IS 55 PERCENT OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WROTE A TWO-PAGED LETTER THAT WAS JUST AN OUTSTANDING OUTLINE OF THE PROBLEMS THEY SEE IF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS ADOPTED MUCH LESS WHAT IT WOULD BE IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT STEP WHICH WOULD BE RECREATIONAL.

I DON'T HAVE STATISTICS BUT I'M THINKING ROUGHLY FIVE PERCENT OF THE STATE MIGHT QUALIFY UNDER SOME TERMS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

AND ONCE YOU SET UP THIS ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURE THAT -- I MEAN WE HAVE GOT ARE PHARMACIES AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE NOW, THE BEST MEDICAL DELIVERY SYSTEMS, BEST MEDICAL CHECK SYSTEM IN THE WORLD, AND WE'RE GOING OUTSIDE OF THAT AND SETTING UP ONE THAT THE STATE OF ALABAMA WILL CONTROL BY APPOINTMENTS AND IT'S JUST KIND OF MIND BOGGLING AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE DOING THAT.

AND COMMONSENSE TO ME WOULD PREVAIL AND SAY THAT'S A BAD WAY TO DO IT.

PLUS WE'RE ON THE CUSP IN MY OPINION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMING IN AND SAYING IT'S NOT LEGAL FEDERALLY ANYMORE.

ONCE THAT IS DONE, THERE'S NO REASON THAT WE CAN'T USE THE DOCTORS, THE DELIVERY SYSTEM THROUGH THE DRUG STORES AND BE ANOTHER DRUG THAT WILL BE CONTROLLED BY THE FDA.

>> THE LEGISLATION STATES THIS IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA ONLY.

BUT DO YOU HEAR YOU SAYING YOU'RE WORRIED THIS IS GOING TO SLOWLY OR INCREMENTALLY CHANGE ATTITUDES ABOUT RECREATIONAL USE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE TRACK PARTY CAME OUT WITH A PRESS RELEASE SATURDAY BEFORE LAST AND SAID THEY DON'T WANT TO JUST HAVE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THEY WANT RECREATIONAL NOW.

I CAN'T SAY EVERYONE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT ARE OFFICIALS SAID THAT BUT THE LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAID THAT.

AND SO THAT WAS KIND OF SHOCKING, ESPECIALLY TIMING-WISE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT MIGHT BE MAYBE LEANING YES, THAT COULD SCARE THEM IN ANOTHER COLUMN.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT DID OR NOT BUT THAT KIND OF OUTLINED WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

MY THEORY IS THAT, ONCE THIS THING IS IN PLACE, ONCE THIS WHOLE SYSTEM IS IN PLACE AND IF IT IS ONLY SERVING 5 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, ONE LITTLE CHANGE IN THIS COMPREHENSIVE 94-PAGE BILL THAT SAYS MEDICAL, YOU CHANGE THAT TO RECREATIONAL AND SUDDENLY YOU'VE GOT WHEN PERCENT OF THE POPULATION 19 YEARS OLDER IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA ARE CUSTOMERS OR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

I'M A BUSINESSMAN.

THESE PEOPLE ARE BUSINESS PEOPLE THAT ARE SETTING UP THIS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND GROWING SYSTEM.

AND MONEY IS THE MOTIVATOR.

AND IF YOU CAN GO FROM 5 PERCENT -- WE JUST GOT OUR CENSUS.

WE'RE 5 MILLION STRONG NOW IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

I'M PROUD OF.

THAT'S QUITE A JUMP.

THAT'S -- THIS IS ANOTHER THING WE NEED TO GO SLOW ON.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT.

THIS IS THE THIRD OR FOURTH YEAR IT HAS COME UP.

AND I HAVE BEEN AMAZED OF THE TRANSFORMATION ON THIS.

AND YOU KNOW, IF THERE WAS SOME ABSOLUTE WAY YOU COULD LOCK IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND SAY IT WOULD NEVER MOVE OR GO IN THE WRONG DIRECTION I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT COME THROUGH OUR DRUGSTORES, OUR REGULAR CS AND BE CONTROLLED BY THE FDA AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE GETTING WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER WITH YOUR LOCAL DRUGSTORE.

>> JIM CARNES OF VESTAVIA HILLS, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

ARE.

>> AND THAT'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL" FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 730 ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL WEEK IN REVIEW" WE WILL HAVE A COMPLETE WRAP UP OF THE LEGISLATIVE WEEK.

WE'RE SCHEDULED TO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OF PHENIX CITY WHO WILL TALK WITH US ABOUT THE LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS AND MANEUVERINGS SURROUNDING HAD THE GAMBLING PLAN.

AND TIM NELSON OF MORRIS WILL TALK HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA HE HAS BEEN CHAMPIONING THREE YEARS.

GARY HOOVER WILL BE WITH US TO DISCUSS THE CRISES AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND STATE HEALTH OFFICER SCOTT HARRIS WILL BE HERE TO DISCUSS THE END OF THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION HERE IN ALABAMA.

FOR ALL OF US AT "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.