>> DON: GOOD EVENING.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

TOPPING OUR BROADCAST TONIGHT, THE HOUSE TODAY TOOK UP THE BILL TO LEGALIZE THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE.

THE MATTER WAS ADDED TO THE LOWER CHAMBER'S AGENDA, AFTER ORIGINALLY NOT BEING ON IT.

AS EXPECTED, THE DEBATE WAS SPIRITED AND PASSIONATE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUE.

THE LEGISLATION PROPOSED REGULATING THE USE OF THE DRUG FROM GROWTH TO PROCESSING TO DISPENSING TO WHO QUALIFIES TO USE IT.

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE BALL OF MADISON CARRIED THE BILL IN THE LOWER CHAMBER AND SAID TODAY THAT HE RECOGNIZED THE SHARPLY DIFFERING OPINIONS AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES.

>> TURN IT LOOSE AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HAVE IT AND THEN YOU HAVE FOLKS ON THE OTHER SIDE SAY, NO, IT'S JUST EVIL AND GOING TO DESTROY OUR LAND.

WELL, THE TRUTH IS SOMETHING ELSE.

THE TRUTH IS ANOTHER THING AT ALL, COMPLETELY.

>> DON: MANY WHO OPPOSED LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE SAID THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT IT POSSIBLY LEADING TO INCREASED RECREATIONAL USE OF THE DRUG.

AND THERE WERE SOME WHO WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE LEGISLATION BEING OVERLY BROAD.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE REED INGRAM OF MONTGOMERY WAS AMONG THOSE OPPONENTS AND HE SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> I FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BE A GATEWAY DRUG.

AND I JUST DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO GO THERE.

WE'RE CONSERVATIVE.

I KNOW IT MAY HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE WE PASSED THE CBD AND THIS IS LEADING OFF THE CBD.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF THINGS THAT PASSED IN THIS BILL, THAT IS IN THE BILL, I MEAN, IS GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC, AND ANXIETY AND OTHER THINGS IN IT.

IT'S JUST TOO BROAD.

>> DON: MEANTIME, SUPPORTERS OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL FELT JUST THE OPPOSITE.

THEY HERALDED THE BENEFITS IT COULD HAVE FOR PATIENTS WHO SUFFER FROM BOTH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, BUT ALSO SEIZURES, CANCER AND CHRONIC PAIN.

DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS JACKSON OF THOMASVILLE WAS A YES VOTE ON THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION AND HE ALSO SPOKE TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

>> THIS IS A PLANT GROWN ON THE EARTH GOD-GIVEN.

SOCIETY HAS COME UP WITH A TECHNIQUE TO MAKE IT WORK AS A MEDICINE.

AND SEE, YOU HAVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT PROGRESS.

THEY WANT TO KEEP THINGS AS THEY ARE AND EXPECT TO GET BETTER.

BUT WE KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT RESULT, THAT'S IDIOCY, ISN'T IT?

>> DON: THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLAN PROPOSED NOT ALLOWING PRODUCTS THAT COULD BE SMOKED OR VAPED.

ALABAMA STOOD TO BE THE 37TH STATE TO LEGALIZE MEDICINAL CANNABIS.

THIS MARKED THE THIRD YEAR THAT THE ISSUE HAS BEEN BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.

THE MAIN BILL IN THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN PASSED A HOUSE COMMITTEE TODAY.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM COMMITTEE APPROVED THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR A STATE LOTTERY, CASINOS AND SPORTS BETTING.

REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS BLACKSHEAR OF PHENIX CITY IS CARRYING THE LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE.

>> SO, 1999 WAS THE LAST TIME THE CITIZENS IN ALABAMA HAD THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING IN THE STATE.

SINCE THEN, ALMOST 200 DIFFERENT PIECES OF LEGISLATION, PERTAINING TO GAMBLING, GAMING, LOTTERY HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN SOME FORM.

IF WE CAN CHANGE THIS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IT WOULD BE ON THE CONSTITUTION IN 2022 IN OVER 200 YEARS.

>> DON: OBVIOUSLY, THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN HAS ITS OPPONENTS.

AMONG THOSE WHO SPOKE AGAINST IT AT TODAY'S HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETING WAS FORMER GOVERNOR JIM FOLSOM JR., WHO IS A LOBBYIST WHO REPRESENTS ELECTRONIC BINGO FACILITIES OPERATING UNDER A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN GREENE COUNTY, FACILITIES THAT WOULD BE SHUT DOWN UNDER THE GAMBLING PLAN.

>> THERE ARE THREE COUNTIES THAT THIS REALLY EFFECTS, LOWNDES, GREENE, AND MACON.

THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING UNDER THE C.A.

'S FOR 25 YEARS.

NOW, THEY ARE SAYING IN ONE SWOOP, WE'RE GOING TO DO AWAY WITH THAT.

WHAT'S THE REASON?

THERE HAS BEEN NO REASON GIVEN.

THE REASON GIVEN IN 319 IS THAT IT INCORPORATES AND UNION FIES ONE SYSTEM OF GAMING AND NEGLECTS THE OTHER 14CA'S.

>> DON: AS THE GAMBLING-RELATED BILLS HAVE BEEN MAKING IT OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK, MANY EXPECT THEM TO BE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ON THURSDAY, AS THE ONLY MATTER SET TO BEFORE LAWMAKERS IN THE LOWER CHAMBER ON THAT DAY.

GOVERNOR KAY IVEY TODAY SIGNED INTO LAW THE BILLS THAT WOULD GIVE PAY RAISES TO BOTH EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

IVEY HAD RECOMMENDED TWO PERCENT SALARY INCREASES FOR BOTH SETS OF WORKERS AND THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE ULTIMATELY PASSED.

IN A STATEMENT, IVEY SAID EDUCATION EMPLOYEES ROSE TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND STATE EMPLOYEES MAINTAINED THE FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE VIRUS OUTBREAK.

MEANTIME, THE GOVERNOR TODAY URGED ALABAMIANS WHO HAVEN'T ALREADY TO CONSIDER GETTING VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 AND THAT IF THEY ARE HESITANT, TO SPEAK TO THEIR DOCTORS.

THIS AFTER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE POSSIBILITY FOR REALLOCATING DOSES FROM STATES WITH A DIMINISHING DEMAND FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE TO STATES WITH A HIGHER DEMAND.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT SO FAR, SHE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT ALABAMA DOSES ARE BEING SHIFTED AT THIS TIME.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Don: NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE REED INGRAM OF MONTGOMERY IS BACK IN THE STUDIO.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> CRUNCH TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> YES, FOURTH QUARTER WITH TWO SECONDS LEFT.

>> NOW, THE HOUSE TOOK UP MARIJUANA AND YOU WERE A NO VOTE.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS.

>> YES.

I FELT IT WAS GOING TO BE A GATEWAY DRUG AND I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO GO THERE.

WE'RE CONSERVATIVE.

I KNOW IT MAY HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WE PASSED THE CBD AND THIS IS LEADING OFF THE CBD.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF THINGS THAT PASSED IN THIS BILL, THAT'S IN THE BILL, I MEAN, IS GOING TO BE PROBLEMATIC, ANXIETY AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT'S IN IT.

IT'S JUST TOO BROAD AND I THINK WE NEED TO NARROW IT DOWN.

IT'S NOT LEGAL, AS FAR AS THE COUNTRY IS CONCERNED.

AND WE CAN'T SELL IT IN YOUR EVERYDAY DRUG STORE.

SO, I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO GO THERE.

>> IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE LIMITED IN SCOPE IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK IT OUGHT TO BE TO THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, JUST LIKE THE LOTTERY.

OUGHT TO BE A C.A.

I KNOW THERE'S OTHER DRUGS FOR THAT.

I THINK ALL YOUR OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE ADDICTED TO, WE'RE JUST ADDING ONE MORE THING ON TO IT.

IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH SAFETY NET THERE TO KEEP IT SAFE.

>> AND YOU ARGUED ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO BE A GATEWAY OF INCREASED USE OF RECREATIONAL USE.

IT'S AN ARGUMENT OFTEN MADE IN THIS DEBATE.

THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT SCOFF AT THE ARGUMENT.

YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THOSE?

>> NO, I'M NOT.

I HAD A PARENT THAT HAD SOME ADDICTION.

AND ONE OF HER ADDICTIONS WAS MARIJUANA.

ALONG WITH OTHERS.

AND I'VE SEEN THE BAD SIDE OF THAT.

AND I JUST DON'T WANT OTHER KIDS TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT SAME THING.

>> WHERE PEOPLE SUPPORT MARIJUANA, SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THEM HAVE PERSONAL STORIES, PERSONALLY INVOLVED SOMEHOW.

EITHER THEY KNOW SOMEBODY WHO HAS BENEFITTED FROM ITS USE OR KNOW SOMEBODY WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM ITS USE.

>> WELL, ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES.

JUST LIKE I SAID EARLIER, THERE'S HARDSHIP ON CASES AND PLUSES, BUT THERE'S OTHER DRUGS THAT CAN DO THE SAME THING.

BUT I WISH WE COULD LIMIT IT TO ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAD CANCER, PARKINSON'S, ET CETERA, INSTEAD OF ANXIETY, SLEEP, AND ALL OF THIS OTHER STUFF THAT WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SENATE BILL.

>> YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THOSE THINGS, ANXIETY, SLEEPLESSNESS, MAYBE THAT'S WHEN YOU SAID IT WAS TOO BROAD?

>> YEAH.

AND I KNOW EVERYBODY NEEDS HELP.

BUT IF IT'S ILLEGAL IN THE COUNTRY, WE OUGHT NOT TO BE TAKING IT UP.

WE'RE A RED STATE AND WE'RE GOING DOWN THE WRONG ROAD.

AND I GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE BROUGHT UP IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS ABOUT THE MEDICAL PART.

AND ONCE YOU OPEN THE OYSTER AND CRACK IT, TO GET ANOTHER FOOT IN THE DOOR.

>> LET'S TURB TO -- TURN TO GAMBLING, THE OTHER BIG ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

GAMBLING BILLS ARE MOVING THROUGH COMMITTEE AND YOU EXPECT IT TO BE ON THE FLOOR ON THURSDAY NOW?

IS THAT THE THINKING?

>> WELL, LEADERSHIP PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR THURSDAY.

AND I BELIEVE THAT'S THE ONLY THING.

WE PASSED IT OUT OF COMMITTEE TODAY, OR THEY DID.

I WAS THERE TO TESTIFY AGAINST IT.

I THINK THE PEOPLE OUGHT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

BUT I THINK THEY OUGHT TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR A GAMING AND LOTTERY ON TWO DIFFERENT C.A.'S.

I THINK IT NOT ALL BE PACKAGED IN ONE THING.

IF EVERYBODY IS SO SURE IT'S GOING TO PASS, THINK ON C.A.

AND GAMING AND OPENING IT UP LIKE LAS VEGAS STYLE IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

THEY ARE TURNING IT INTO EVERYTHING THEY DO IN LAS VEGAS, SPORTS GAMING, CASINO, ROULETTE, CARDS, AND THAT'S A LOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE GOT HERE ON BINGO.

I DON'T THINK FOR OUR YOUNG KIDS, GOING INTO THESE CASINOS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NICE SHOWS, LIKE THEY DO IN VEGAS, THEY DRINK ALL NIGHT OR THE WHOLE TIME THEY ARE THERE.

AND THEN GAMBLE WITH THE PARENTS' CREDIT CARD AND THEN LEAVE, DRIVE.

AND IT'S SO CLOSE TO AUBURN, SHORTER, LOOK AT 27, 28 MILES.

HOW MANY KIDS GOING THERE DRIVING BACK HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN WRECKS?

>> YOU TALKING ABOUT VICTORYLAND?

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

SO, I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO MAKE GAMING A PART OF IT, A COMPONENT.

IT'S COMING.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BATTLE OVER IT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S IT'S A GOOD BILL.

AND ANOTHER COMPONENT, WE'RE GETTING A PERCENTAGE OF THE PROFITS.

AND A PERCENTAGE OF THE PROFITS GO TO EDUCATION.

AND IN MOST OF THE OTHER STATES, A PERCENTAGE OF WHAT THEY TAKE IN GOES TO THE EDUCATION OR WHATEVER THEY FUND.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS BACKWARDS.

WE NEED TO SAY, IF YOU TAKE IN $100 MILLION, WE GET A PERCENTAGE OF THAT.

WE DON'T CARE WHAT THE EXPENSES ARE.

YOU CAN TAKE A CORPORATION AND NOT PAY ANY TAXES BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT SHOWING A PROFIT BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE, KEY PEOPLE MAY BE MAKING 2, $3 MILLION A YEAR.

THEY ARE GETTING FAT BUT THE STATE DOESN'T GET THEIR FAIR SHARE.

AND IT OUGHT TO BE DONE LIKE RENT OR A LEASE.

YOU KNOW YOU ARE PAYING A PERCENTAGE OF THE PROFITS THAT GOING TO THE FIXED INCOME.

WELL, IT'S DIFFERENT THAN A LEASE BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PAYING.

BUT IF YOU TAKE IN MORE, WE GET MORE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE ARGUMENT THAT SAID THAT GAMBLING IS ALREADY HERE IN ALABAMA IN MANY RESPECTS AND WE NEED TO REGULATE IT AND TAX IT.

>> I THINK THAT'S A POOR ARGUMENT.

WE'VE GOT BINGO AND SLOT MACHINES.

THINK WE NEED TO TAX THAT AND REGULATE THAT.

NO ARGUMENT.

BUT WE'RE TAKING THAT AS AN EXCUSE TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF A CLASSIFICATION OF THREE.

CLASS 3 GAMING IS A BIG DIFFERENCE THAN SLOT MACHINES.

YOU GOT PROSTITUTION AND DRUGS THAT COMES WITH IT.

HIGH ROLLERS THAT COME IN HERE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT TAKING YOUR MONEY OUT OF YOUR LEFT POCKET AND PUTTING IT IN YOUR RIGHT POCKET BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE PLAYING HERE AND SPENDING MONEY AT WALMART OR WHEREVER YOU CAN CREATE A TAX BASE.

BUT INSTEAD, THEY ARE GIVING TO IT A CORPORATION, A LIMITED, OF WHO CAN HAVE ONE AND PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS AND SAY, HEY WHATEVER YOUR PROFITS ARE, SEND US THE DIFFERENCE.

THAT'S JUST WRONG.

WRONG.

>> AND THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMING PLAN ROSE FROM THE ASHES AFTER AN EARLY DEFEAT IN THE SENATE.

CAME BACK AND HAD A LOT OF POWERFUL PEOPLE BEHIND IT.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE?

>> I THINK IT'S WRONG THAT LOBBYISTS GET INTO THIS, US MAKING THE DECISION THIS BIG FOR THE STATE.

WHAT WE DO ON THIS GAMING COULD CHANGE THE WHOLE STRUCTURE OF THE STATE.

WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A GAMING COMMISSION THAT'S APPOINTED, THE ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T HARDLY HAVE ANY AUTHORITY LEFT AT ALL, THAT'S WHO IS RINGING IT, RINGING ALL THE SHOTS.

I DON'T THINK OUR STATE NEEDS TO GO DOWN BECAUSE OTHER STATES HAVE IT, MAYBE THAT WINS ON LOTTERY BUT GAMING, CLASS THREE GAMING IS A DIFFERENT ANIMAL.

GO BILOXI, LAS VEGAS, GO ANYWHERE THAT'S NOT ON A SOVEREIGN LAND AND YOU LOOK AT IT AND YOU WOULD SEE, HEY, I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE PART OF THIS AT ALL.

ESPECIALLY, I DON'T WANT IT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD!

AND WE GOT SO MANY COLLEGE KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON THIS SPORTS GAMING, PLAYING BECAUSE THEY CAN DO IT IF THEY ARE 21.

WHAT DO THE COACHES THINK ABOUT IT?

NICK SABAN THINKS ABOUT IT?

AUBURN COACH THINKS ABOUT IT?

AND IF THIS PLAYER, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD HAPPEN, BUT THE THING, THEY HAVE A BET ON THE GAME, AND HE ACCIDENTALLY DROPS THE BALL.

AND YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

WE'RE A BIBLE BELT STATE, WE OUGHT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CITIZENS TO VOTE ON A LOTTERY.

THINK THAT'S A GOOD BUSINESS TO DO.

BUT AS FAR AS STEPPING RIGHT ON IN AND USING IT LIKE YOU SAY, AS AN EXCUSE BECAUSE WE HAVE GAMING.

NO, WE DON'T HAVE CLASS 3 GAMING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE REED INGRAM OF MONTGOMERY, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

AND "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> CREATED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS ON MAY 18, 1933, THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY OR TVA IS THE NATION'S LARGEST PUBLIC POWER COMPANY IN A WORLD RENOWN AGENCY.

AND IT OPERATES DAMS, AND COAL FIRED NUCLEAR POWERED PLANTS IN ALABAMA AND OTHER SOUTHERN STATES.

AND NAVIGATION, WATER QUALITY IS ALSO GOVERNED BY THE TVA.

>> NEXT UP ON THE BROADCAST, REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS JACKSON IS HERE ON THE SHOW FROM THOMASVILLE.

>> GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, THE HOUSE TOOK UP MEDICAL MARIJUANA TODAY.

YOU SUPPORT IT.

>> YES, I DO.

>> THIS MEASURE.

TELL US WHY YOU THINK IT'S A GOOD BILL.

>> I FEEL IT'S A GOOD BILL IN SEVERAL WAYS.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S MEDICAL.

SCIENCE HAS GIVEN US AN OPPORTUNITY TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN ILLNESS WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE ADDICTION PROCESS.

ALTHOUGH MEDICATION THAT'S ON THE MARKET.

WE HAD OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN OUR STATE AND MANY OF OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS GOT HOOKED ON OPIOIDS.

AND WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO NEED THE MEDICATION TO HELP ALLEVIATE SEIZURES AND OTHER CONDITIONS THAT THEY FACE EVERYDAY.

AND THIS MEDICATION WILL GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME RELIEF.

NOW, A FEW YEARS BACK, WE PASSED THE CBD OIL AND THAT HELPED SOME WITH SOME OF THE PROCESS.

BUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF ANXIETY, PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS THAT THEY NEED AND HAVE TO GO THROUGH FOR DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS SO THEY CAN BE TREATED IN THE COMMUNITIES.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA WILL GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY TO MAINTAIN STABILITY AND BE PRODUCTIVE AS S, F, S, F, INDIVIDUALS.

>> AND YOU FEEL THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS JUST THE NEXT NATURAL STEP?

>> YEAH, NEXT NATURAL STEP BECAUSE IT DOES MORE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

NOW, THE THC, WHATEVER IT IS IN THE PLANT, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE APPROVED BY FDA AND YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST A MINIMAL AMOUNT.

SO WHOEVER THE SITUATION IS GIVEN TO, SOME MEDICATION COMES IN 10 MILLIGRAMS SOME COME IN 5, AND SOME 20, 50 AND IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION OF THE PATIENT.

>> WE SPOKE TO YOUR COLLEAGUE, REPRESENTATIVE REED INGRAM EARLIER IN THE SHOW AND HE SAID HE THOUGHT THE BILL SHOULD BE MORE LIMITED IN SCOPE TO MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE TO THOSE WITH CONCERNS.

HE ESPECIALLY BROUGHT UP DEPRESSION, ANXIETY THAT THINGS MAYBE SHOULDN'T BE TREATED WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS IT SHOULD BE.

WE'VE TRIED THESE OTHER CHEMICALS AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING.

THIS IS A PLANT.

GROWN ON THE EARTH, GOD-GIVEN.

SO, SCIENCE HAS COME UP WITH A TECHNIQUE TO MAKE IT WORK AS A MEDICINE.

AND SEE, YOU HAVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO PROGRESS, THEY WANT TO KEEP THINGS AS THEY ARE AND EXPECT TO GET BETTER.

BUT LET ME, WE KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND EXPECT A DIFFERENT RESULT, THAT'S IDIOCY ISN'T IT?

AND I THINK IT'S UP TO ALABAMA TO COME INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

AND THE BIG ONE GOING ON UPSTAIRS NOW, IT'S A CULTURAL THING.

ALABAMA.

WE DON'T NEED.

WELL.

WELL, YOU HAVE TAKEN AWAY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AS RELATES TO PROTESTING, HAVING OUR VOTES HEARD AND COUNTED.

BUT YOU WANT TO PUSH THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, RIGHT, TO SUPERCEDE THE FEDERAL STATUTE.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOES ON IN PEOPLE MIND IN THIS STATE.

DO AWAY WITH THE FELLOW GUN LAW AND PUT ALABAMA SUPERCEDES THE FEDERAL GUN LAW ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO OTHER ISSUES.

WE HAVE GREAT ISSUES.

WE GOT 300,000 CITIZENS OF THE STATE NEED, NEED MEDICATION, NEED MEDICAL INSURANCE.

WE NEED TO EXPAND MEDICAID.

WE GOT GAMBLING COMING UP.

THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT THE MEDICAID EXPANSION INTO THAT BILL TO HELP ALL THESE PEOPLE WE CAN.

WE GOT MONEY FROM THE CARES ACT TO HELP WITH US.

AND WE SHUTTING DOWN EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.

THAT'S [INAUDIBLE] SO IF IT WAS NOT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HOLDING UP THE STATE, WE HAVE TO SHOOT OUR DOGS.

ARSENAL.

[INAUDIBLE] AND IS THAT HOW THEY OPERATE?

FEDERAL MONEY.

IF YOU DON'T WANT FEDERAL MONEY, DON'T TAKE SPACE MONEY.

DON'T TAKE NASA'S MONEY.

LET'S TRY TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE IN NEED.

AND STOP TRYING TO DO WHAT THE PARTY WANTS.

THE PEOPLE ARE CRYING FOR HELP.

AND THE PARTY, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DON'T WANT TO EVEN LISTEN AND REACH OUT HAND TO EXTEND SOME HELP TO THEM.

I'M GOING TO STAY WITH THE WORD.

THE BIBLE TELL US TO TAKE CARE OF THE LEAST OF THESE.

AND OUR MISSION HERE IS TO DO JUST THAT, NOT HELP OUR CORPORATE FOLKS OR THE PEOPLE FUNDING OUT CAMPAIGNS BUT HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE A VOICE, MAKE THEIR VOICE OUR VOICE AND SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF.

THEY ARE CRYING AND WE OUGHT TO ADHERE TO WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE MINUTES LEFT.

AND VERY BRIEFLY, YOU BROUGHT UP GAMBLING, SUPPOSEDLY BEFORE YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THURSDAY.

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PLAN.

I'M NOT FOR IT.

IF MEDICAID EXPANSION IS NOT IN THE BILL, I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

I ALWAYS SUPPORTED THE LOTTERY.

SO, WHAT THEY COULD HAVE DONE, SEPARATED THE BILLS AND HAVE A STAND-ALONE LOTTERY.

THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR.

THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR CASINO GAMBLING, THEY ARE ASKING FOR A LOTTERY.

SO, NOW WE'RE GOING TO GET LOTTERY AND THEY PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, SO YOU CAN'T VOTE FOR ONE WITHOUT VOTING FOR ALL.

BUT IF THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE ISSUES IN THE BILLS WHERE THEY CAN HELP 300,000 PEOPLE IN THE STATE THAT NEED MEDICAID EXPANSION, NEED MEDICAL FACILITY, OUR RURAL HOSPITALS NEED HELP.

WE LOST SEVERAL AND GOING TO LOSE SEVERAL MORE THAT WE CAN'T HELP THEM.

I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

>> DO YOU FEEL THAT MANY OF YOUR, MOST OF YOUR MEMBERS OF THE CAUCUS SHARE YOUR SUPPORT?

>> WE'RE NOT SOLIDIFIED WHEN IT COMES TO THIS.

WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES REPRESENTING THE AREAS WHERE THE FACILITIES ARE.

AND WHEN IT COME TO PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS, I'M NOT FOR THAT.

LOWNDES COUNTY, PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE.

AND SEVERAL FACILITIES IN GREENE COUNTY WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO LOSE, AND YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A CATCH 22 WHEN IT COMES TO THAT.

I'M NOT SUPPORTING IT IF IT'S NOT ADDED TO THE HEALTH.

WHEN HEALTH IS ADDED THAT MEAN MORE PEOPLE GET INVOLVED.

300,000 PEOPLE IN ALABAMA NEED HELP.

AND THIS GAMBLING EXPANSION, MEDICAID COULD GIVE THEM SOME RELIEF.

>> I KNOW IN THE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS PLAN, RURAL HOSPITALS WERE TALKED ABOUT AS BEING SOME OF THE BENEFICIARIES.

BUT YOU THINK IT NEEDS TO GO FURTHER WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> RIGHT, IT NEEDS TO GO FURTHER.

KEEP OUR HOSPITAL.

BUT THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'T HAVE, WHEN THEY GO TO THE HOSPITAL, WHAT THEY GOING TO DO?

YOU CAN'T TURN THEM AWAY.

SO, IF WE GIVE THEM HEALTHCARE, IT WILL HELP THEM, HELP THE HOSPITALS.

SO, THIS THING IS ALL LIKE HAND IN GLOVE.

IT WORKS TOGETHER.

IF YOU DON'T PUT THE GLOVE ON, YOU CAN'T GET PROTECTION.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

AND ALABAMA IS 51ST IN MOST EVERYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING PEOPLE EVERYTHING EXCEPT ATHLETICS.

AND IN SPORTS WE NUMBER 1.

AND WHY CAN'T WE LINE IT UP TO HELP THEY LIVELIHOOD BE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND CONDUCIVE.

NOW, JUST GET IN THERE, OUTDOOR FACILITIES, WE LIKE SOME THIRD WORLD COUNTRY IN SOME AREAS OF THIS STATE.

WHY CAN'T WE REACH OUT AND DO A JOB TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE COME OUT OF THEIR POVERTY AND BE ACCEPTABLE AS CITIZENS OF THIS STATE, LET THEM KNOW WE CARE ABOUT THEM AND NOT THE BIG GUYS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS JACKSON OF THOMASVILLE, ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

AND ASK ME TO COME BACK.

THANK YOU.

>> AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> DON: AND THAT'S CAPITOL JOURNAL FOR TONIGHT.

COMING UP TOMORROW NIGHT AT 10:30, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST FROM THE STATEHOUSE.

AND OUR GUESTS ARE SET TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVE JIM HILL OF MOODY, WHO'LL DISCUSS GAMBLING AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM LEGISLATION THAT HE'S BEEN CARRYING THIS YEAR.

WE'LL ALSO BE JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE TERRI COLLINS OF DECATUR, WHO'LL TALK WITH US ABOUT GAMBLING, AND ABOUT THE BILL THAT WOULD DELAY A KEY PART OF THE ALABAMA LITERACY ACT WHICH SHE SPONSORED LAST YEAR.

COLLINS WILL ALSO DISCUSS FINAL PASSAGE OF HER DIRECT SHIPMENT WINE LEGISLATION.

FOR ALL OF US AT CAPITOL JOURNAL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M DON DAILEY.