Medical Marijuana Dispensaries in Alabama: When Will They Open?

Alabama legalized medical marijuana in 2021 through the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act. Since then, patients across the state have been asking the same question: When will Alabama have dispensaries?

While progress has been made, dispensaries are still not open. Here’s a detailed look at why the rollout has taken so long, what challenges remain, and when patients may finally have access to medical marijuana.

Current Status of Alabama Dispensaries

Currently, no dispensaries are open in Alabama. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) has awarded licenses to cultivators, processors, transporters, and testing labs; however, dispensary licenses and integrated facility licenses remain tied up in ongoing legal disputes.

Because of these delays, doctors are not yet able to register to recommend marijuana, since the law requires all categories of licenses to be finalized before physician certification can begin. This means patients cannot yet obtain medical marijuana in Alabama.

Why the Delay?

Several key issues explain why dispensaries have not yet opened:

• Licensing Challenges

  • In late 2023, the AMCC began awarding business licenses across different categories, including dispensaries. However, lawsuits from companies that were not selected quickly stalled the process. These legal disputes focused on how licenses were scored and awarded, leaving the program in limbo.

• Regulatory Requirements

  • Even once the licenses are finalized, there are multiple steps before dispensaries can open. Facilities must be built or renovated, inspected, and approved by the state. Security measures, product testing, and transportation systems must also be in place before operations can begin.

• Local Control

  • Under Alabama law, local governments have the authority to approve or block dispensary locations. This means that even once licenses are valid, some communities may take longer to welcome dispensaries.

When Will Alabama Have Dispensaries?

At this point, the best estimate is that dispensaries could open sometime in late 2025 or early 2026, depending on how quickly the courts resolve outstanding lawsuits.

This timeline assumes no major new setbacks, but additional litigation or local zoning decisions could cause further delays. Officials and licensed producers remain hopeful, but the process has proven to be slower and more complicated than many expected.

What Patients Should Know

While waiting for dispensaries to open, patients should be aware of the following:

• Only patients with qualifying medical conditions will be eligible.

• A physician must be certified by the state before recommending marijuana, and patients will need to see a state-certified medical marijuana physician to begin the process. This certification process cannot begin until the dispensary and integrated facility licenses are finalized.

• Once available, only certain forms of marijuana will be legal in Alabama. Patients will have access to tablets, capsules, tinctures, oils, gummies, and patches. Smoking or vaping raw marijuana will remain prohibited.

The Bottom Line

So, when will Alabama have dispensaries? Hopefully, by late 2025 or early 2026, but legal disputes and regulatory hurdles continue to push back the timeline.

For now, patients should stay informed about updates from the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and be prepared to meet with a marijuana doctor once the physician certification process begins. Access is on the horizon, but the wait continues. In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter and check out our blogs for the latest news and updates on when Alabama dispensaries will finally open.

Get Ready for Medical Marijuana in Alabama

Based on the current timeline, Alabama’s medical marijuana program is expected to launch by the end of the year, giving patients with qualifying conditions the opportunity to finally begin the process of accessing treatment. Safe and natural relief in Alabama is coming soon!

If you think medical marijuana may benefit you, why not apply? Here at Alabama Marijuana Card, we can help! The best thing you can do is be prepared when the Alabama medical marijuana program launches. 

Reserve an evaluation online today with one of our compassionate marijuana doctors, and as soon as the rules for the state’s medical marijuana plan are finalized, our medical staff will be ready to help determine whether or not you qualify.

We’ll make an appointment for you just as soon as we can, and your new doctor will discuss your conditions and whether you qualify for an Alabama Marijuana Card. And if you make your reservation online today, you’ll even save $25 off the cost of your evaluation!

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Doctors Who Care.

Relief You Can Trust.

At Alabama Marijuana Card, our mission is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.

If you have any questions, call us at (833) 781-5633, or simply reserve a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting the relief you can trust today!