Alabama is one of just 17 states where medical marijuana is illegal, part of a dwindling coalition of holdout states in the Southeast and Midwest. But a new bill in the state Senate could potentially change that.

SB 165, which would create the compassion act, would pave the way for the state to legalize certain forms of medical marijuana, and create programs to grow, administer and tax it. But even if the bill, sponsored by state Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, passes, you shouldn’t expect to see anyone legally smoking weed in the state.

The bill came last week after extensive study by a commission composed of doctors, legislators and lawyers. Melson chaired the study commission.

The bill would make it legal for people with certain illnesses or conditions, including anxiety, cancer and chronic pain, among other things, to get a medical cannabis card. But the bill wouldn’t allow any form of smoked or vaped marijuana - or even edibles. Instead, the bill would allow oral tablets, gelatinous cubes or lozenges, topical creams/oils, suppositories, patches, nebulizers and inhalers.

If the bill passes, Alabama would be the 34th state to legalize medical marijuana. That includes the 11 states and Washington, D.C., where recreational marijuana is legal.

Alabama is among a minority of states where medical marijuana is illegal. Could that change? | Ramsey Archibald

Alabama is not alone in inching toward the rest of the country. Kentucky this month also advanced a bill that would legalize medical marijuana.

The Alabama bill would impose tight controls on those cultivating and selling medical marijuana. Both inventory and card holders would be electronically tracked. Products would be taxed at a rate of 9 percent, with some of the proceeds going back toward the operation of the program. A special account would also be created for the Medical Cannabis Research Fund.

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Do you have an idea for a data story about Alabama? Email Ramsey Archibald at rarchibald@al.com, and follow him on Twitter @RamseyArchibald. Read more Alabama data stories here.