Alabama’s medical cannabis legalization law was first enacted in 2021. The state’s approach to medical cannabis policy and regulation remains one of the most restrictive in the United States. Currently, 40 states have legalized cannabis for medical use, along with Washington D.C.
Below is a list of qualifying health conditions for Alabama’s medical cannabis program:
- Autism
- Cancer-related weight loss or chronic pain
- Crohn’s
- Depression, epilepsy or condition causing seizures
- HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss
- Panic disorder
- Parkinson’s
- Persistent nausea not related to pregnancy
- PTSD
- Sickle Cell
- Spasticity associated with diseases including ALS, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries
- Terminal illnesses
- Tourette’s
- Chronic pain for which conventional therapies and opiates should not be used or are ineffective
Safe access for suffering patients in the form of regulated cannabis sales has remained elusive in the state. However, Alabama’s medical cannabis program passed a major milestone recently when industry regulators approved three dispensary licenses.
“The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Thursday approved three dispensary licenses, which members of the commission hailed as a critical step toward making medical cannabis available in Alabama nearly five years after the Legislature established the program.” reported Alabama Reflector in its local coverage.
“We waited a long time to get to this point in time where we can make a decision like this, and it is monumental,” Rex Vaughn, chair of the commission, said according to the outlet. “It’s a milestone meeting for us, so I’m tickled we can get this far.”
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has so far approved industry licenses for nine medical cannabis producers, four processors, four transporters, and three retail dispensaries. A fourth medical cannabis dispensary license is expected to be approved in late January.