A group studying medical marijuana heard pros and cons today at an Alabama State House hearing and began discussions of a draft version of a bill to introduce to the Legislature early next year.

Bertha Madras, a professor in neuroscience at Harvard University, told the Medical Cannabis Study Commission that the overall body of research shows the risks of legalizing medical marijuana outweigh any demonstrated benefits. Madras said cannabis should be subject to the same Federal Drug Administration approval process as prescription drugs and not be authorized by legislation .

Dr. Alan Shackelford, a physician from Colorado, told the panel stories and showed video about the benefits his patients have received from medical cannabis. Shackelford pointed to research that weighs in favor of legalization.

Barry Matson, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, urged lawmakers to put as many safeguards in the legislation as possible to try to minimize abuse.

“Medical marijuana in many states is, in fact, recreational,” Matson said.

The Alabama Legislature created the commission earlier this year after a medical marijuana legalization bill stalled. Medical marijuana is legal in 33 states.

Paula Greene, an attorney for the Legislative Services Agency, passed out and explained a draft version of a bill at today’s meeting. Greene told the panel that the legislation is based partly on what has worked well in other states.

Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, the commission chairman, urged the members of the panel to study the bill and make any recommended changes. Melson is a physician and medical researcher who sponsored the bill to legalize medical marijuana. The bill passed the Senate but was changed in the House to set up the study commission.

The panel includes representatives from the fields of medicine, law enforcement, drug addiction treatment, agriculture, pharmacy, and others.

Melson said he initially opposed medical marijuana but changed his mind after reviewing research showing benefits for some patients with chronic pain and other conditions who have not gotten relief from other medications or who have relied on addictive opioid prescriptions. Melson said cannabis is not a miracle drug but can seem so to some who find relief after trying everything else.

“We at least have an obligation to the people of Alabama to consider it,” Melson said.

The bill would create a Medical Cannabis Commission that would set rules for the issuance of medical cannabis cards for patients with qualifying conditions and the establishment of a patient registry. About 15 qualifying conditions and symptoms are listed, including agitation associated with dementia; autism spectrum disorder; chemotherapy-induced nausea; Crohn’s Disease or irritable bowel syndrome; a condition causing chronic pain, including fibromyalgia and migraines; epilepsy or a condition causing seizures; HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss; post traumatic stress disorder; sleep disorders; spasticity associated with a motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries; a terminal illness in which life expectancy is six months or less; and Tourette’s Syndrome.

The list is subject to change before the bill becomes final. The bill also says the Medical Cannabis Commission could add conditions based on scientific evidence.

The hearing drew an audience that packed a State House committee room and filled an overflow room across the hall. Most showed their support for medical marijuana. Some of the assertions that Madras made about the dangers of medical marijuana drew scattered laughter. Shackelford got cheers and applause several times.

The hearing ended with brief testimonies from several people who described how they or their relatives have benefited from medical marijuana.

Mona Sweatt of Montgomery, came with her daughter, Hallie Sweatt, 22, who was using a wheelchair. Mona said Hallie suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm when she was 13. It caused brain damage that essentially left her like a newborn in terms of development, Mona said. Hallie regained the ability to talk but is unable to walk and has limited use of her arms.

Mona would like Hallie to have a chance to try medical cannabis to treat seizures, which she said can strike up to 60 times a day. Mona said doctors have tried many medications and a nerve stimulator implant but the seizures persist.

“Our thinking, in my mind, let’s get another option for her to see if she could try it and it might help with her seizures,” Mona said. “So that was why I’m here today, to give her maybe another option for her seizures as well as her chronic pain.”

Mona said there’s a “rescue” medicine she can give Hallie when the seizures are especially bad, but it just puts her to sleep.

“I don’t want her knocked out,” Mona said. “She’s 22. She’s got a life to live and that’s why we’re here.”

The legislative session starts Feb. 4.