Why Is Alabama’s Medical Marijuana Program So Delayed?

Alabama took a significant step in 2021 by legalizing medical marijuana, sparking hope for thousands of patients. Yet, years later, that hope remains on hold. Dispensaries have yet to open, and patients are still waiting as the state’s program faces ongoing legal challenges, licensing controversies, and administrative roadblocks.

A Program Four Years in the Making

In May 2021, Alabama’s state legislature passed the Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall Compassion Act, legalizing the use of medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions. It was a groundbreaking move, especially for a state with historically strict marijuana laws. The law established the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) to regulate licensing, patient certification, and the eventual sale of medical marijuana products.

Lawmakers promised access to legal marijuana-based treatments for conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, epilepsy, cancer, and more. But since the law was passed, the state has yet to see a single operational dispensary.

What’s Causing the Delay?

The answer lies in the licensing process, and more importantly, in the lawsuits that have followed it. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has tried three times to award licenses to dispensaries, growers, processors, and integrated facilities. Each time, the process was challenged in court.

The most recent blow came in December 2023, when the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission attempted to reissue licenses using an “emergency rule” intended to correct flaws in the original scoring process. Several applicants filed legal complaints, arguing that the use of an emergency rule was unlawful and unconstitutional.

In April 2024, Montgomery Circuit Court Judge James Anderson ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, tossing out the awarded licenses and resetting the entire process again. The judge made it clear: simply being tangled in litigation is not a legal emergency. As a result, Alabama is once again starting from scratch, and many insiders now estimate it could take another year or more before patients see any legal product on shelves.

AMCC’s Troubled Track Record

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission’s issues have stemmed from:

• Subjective scoring of applicants, with wildly inconsistent results

• Opaque and confusing rankings that left applicants with little insight

• Repeated changes to the licensing process midstream

• Failure to comply with the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act (AAPA)

• Lack of clear rules for license challenges and hearings

Each of these failures has opened the door to lawsuits that have completely shut down progress. And while the state’s intent to create a tightly regulated program was understandable, its execution has proven chaotic and legally indefensible.

What Medical Marijuana Will Look Like in Alabama

Despite the delays, the law is already written, and once implemented, Alabama’s program will include the following:

• Products allowed: Tablets, capsules, tinctures, gels, oils, and creams for topical use, suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, and liquids or oils for use in an inhaler

• Daily dosage limit: 50 mg per day for the first 90 days

• No smoking, vaping, or raw plant material

• Physician certification required - that’s where we come in!

• Medical marijuana card required for purchase

The law is designed to serve only qualified patients, and dispensaries will have to comply with strict product labeling, testing, and security standards. Once dispensaries finally open, they will provide a safe and controlled environment for patients to access medical marijuana products.

What’s Next for the Program?

Alabama’s marijuana program is at a crossroads. There are two potential paths forward:

• Restart the licensing process under the strict guidance of Alabama Administrative Procedures Act, including hearings and evidence presentation. 

• Legislative intervention to simplify or expand licensing, perhaps opening the door to more applicants and reducing legal conflict. Some lawmakers have expressed interest in revisiting the law during the next session.

Until one of these paths is chosen and successfully executed, patients remain in limbo. The pressure on Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and lawmakers to deliver is growing, and many expect 2025 to be a decisive year.

The Illicit Market Isn’t the Answer

With delays dragging on, some patients may feel tempted to turn to unregulated sources. But doing so is dangerous, not only because it’s illegal, but also because illicit marijuana products can be contaminated with heavy metals, mold, or even fentanyl.

That’s why Alabama’s medical marijuana program is worth the wait. Products sold through licensed dispensaries will be lab-tested, clearly labeled, and tightly regulated for safety. From manufacturing to patient use, every step will be overseen by state law to ensure patients are getting exactly what they need, and nothing they don’t.

Final Thoughts

The rollout of Alabama’s medical marijuana program has been anything but smooth. From legal battles to bureaucratic missteps, patients have been caught in a waiting game with no clear end date. 

If you’re one of the many Alabamians suffering from a qualifying condition, now is the time to act. Reserve an appointment with us today, begin your certification process, and secure your medical marijuana card once the program goes live. Doing so puts you ahead of the curve, and legally protects your right to access marijuana-based treatment when the state is finally ready.

Get Ready for Medical Marijuana in Alabama

Based on the current timeline, patients with qualifying conditions should be able to purchase marijuana products from dispensaries sometime this year. 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!

Check out Alabama Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.