Alabama Medical Marijuana Card

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Alabama?

Medical marijuana is legal in Alabama. It was legalized in 2021 when Governor Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 46, the Darren Wesley 'Ato' Hall Compassion Act. Senate Bill 46 vested oversight of the medical marijuana program in the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC). The AMCC is currently developing the Alabama medical marijuana registry program and will be fully operational once the state licenses enough marijuana businesses to kick off the program.

According to the provisions of Senate Bill 46, in order to be considered legally, medical marijuana products in Alabama must be obtained from a licensed dispensary. Only the following medical marijuana products are permitted for use in Alabama:

• Capsules
• Tablets
• Skin patches
• Tinctures
• Topical oils, gels, and creams
• Suppositories
• Nebulizers
• Inhaler oils and liquids

The following marijuana products and derivatives are illegal under Alabama medical cannabis law:

• Marijuana that can be smoked or vaped
• Marijuana-infused edibles, such as cookies and candies
• Raw marijuana plant material

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Alabama in 2024

The Alabama medical cannabis program remains under development and is not allowing patients or caregivers to register now. The state has yet to establish the procedure for obtaining medical marijuana cards under the cannabis program.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Alabama

When the medical marijuana program becomes fully operational in Alabama, qualifying patients who require treatment or therapy for legally recognized illnesses and conditions will be able to access medical marijuana. Qualifying patients must be 19 or older in order to obtain medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries. They must also be certified by doctors as requiring treatment for a condition recognized by Alabama Senate Bill 46. In addition, a qualifying patient must be registered with the AMCC and be issued a medical marijuana card.

Per Senate Bill 46, patients with the following medical conditions can get medical marijuana in Alabama:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Autism
• Crohn's disease
• Chronic pain
• Cancer
• Depression
• HIV/AIDS
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson's disease
• Panic disorder
• Persistent nausea
• Multiple sclerosis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Spasticity
• Sickle-Cell Anemia
• Terminal illnesses
• Tourette's Syndrome

Can I Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card In Alabama Online?

No. Alabama is still in the process of developing its medical marijuana program. However, according to Alabama law, a physical examination where the certifying physician and the patient are in the same room is required before the healthcare practitioner may recommend a patient for medical marijuana use. The patient and the physician must be physically located in an Alabama jurisdiction, and any visit, examination, or other consultation must occur while both parties are physically located in Alabama.

How Do I Register With the Alabama Medical Cannabis Program?

The Alabama medical cannabis program is currently under development and is not registering patients or caregivers as of now.

Do I Need To Be An Alabama Resident To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

Per Alabama medical marijuana law, only patients or caregivers who are residents of the state are allowed to participate in the Alabama medical cannabis program.

What Is The Cost Of An Alabama Medical Marijuana Card?

The AMCC began accepting applications for dispensary licenses in September 2022 and has not published the list of successful applicants.

When the Alabama medical marijuana program becomes fully operational, qualifying patients or their caregivers can expect to pay $50 for a medical marijuana card, according to a fee schedule released by the AMCC in August 2022. Virtual medical marijuana cards will also be available, and the potential cost is $40.

What Do You Need When Visiting A Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Alabama?

A qualifying patient or registered caregiver who intends to purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary in Alabama must present a valid medical marijuana card issued by the AMCC.

Who Can Prescribe Medical Marijuana In Alabama?

Although the Alabama medical marijuana program is still at the developmental stage, doctors will begin to certify qualified cannabis patients once the state has awarded business licenses for marijuana businesses. In order to legally access medical marijuana in Alabama, a patient must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition by a doctor. The doctor will issue a certification that the patient's medical condition has proved unresponsive to other treatment methods besides medical marijuana. The certifying doctor and the qualifying patient must be residents of the state during the consultation and examination for the medical marijuana certification to be considered valid. Alabama-licensed doctors can only recommend medical marijuana to patients they treat for conditions within their specialty.

Can A Minor Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Alabama?

Under the provisions of Senate Bill 46, qualifying patients under 19 are considered minors and cannot apply on their own for medical marijuana cards in Alabama. Minors are not eligible to be issued medical marijuana cards. However, parents of such qualifying minor patients can apply to the AMCC to act as caregivers for their minor children and purchase medical marijuana products on their behalf.

Can You Get A Medical Marijuana Card At 18 In Alabama?

No. Alabama does not give medical marijuana cards to residents when they turn 18. Instead, the state requires parents and guardians of 18-year-old qualifying patients to request medical marijuana cards on their behalf and serve as caregivers for their wards.

How To Renew Your Alabama Medical Marijuana Card

When the Alabama Medical Cannabis Patient Registry System becomes operational, the AMCC will make the state’s medical marijuana card renewal process public. Qualifying patients will be required to pay $50 to renew their medical marijuana cards. The renewal of virtual cards will cost $40.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Alabama?

When the Alabama Medical Cannabis Patient Registry System becomes operational, the AMCC will make the state’s medical marijuana card renewal process public. Qualifying patients will be required to pay $50 to renew their medical marijuana cards. The renewal of virtual cards will cost $40.

Does Alabama Allow Medical Marijuana Patients To Designate Caregivers?

Senate Bill 46 allows qualifying cannabis patients in Alabama to designate caregivers. A caregiver is an individual who is responsible for the day-to-day care of a qualifying patient. Their duties include the administering of medication and the purchase of medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries. The AMCC reserves the right to determine the number of patients a registered caregiver can manage.

Caregivers in Alabama must register with and be issued medical marijuana cards by the AMCC. They must be at least 21 years old. Parents who are caregivers for their minor children can purchase medical marijuana on behalf of their wards. Still, they cannot consume the products unless they qualify for cannabis treatments. In such a situation, they must also be enrolled in the Alabama medical marijuana program as patients.

Alabama Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Alabama does not accept medical marijuana cards issued by other states. Out-of-state medical marijuana patients cannot purchase medical marijuana from Alabama dispensaries.

Are My Medical Marijuana Records Private?

According to the SB 46, the Alabama medical marijuana patient registry will be accessible to:

• Local and state enforcement agencies, provided the patient registry database may only be accessed upon probable cause or reasonable suspicion of violating a controlled substance law or driving under the influence. The access will be strictly limited to information that is necessary to confirm that an individual is registered and has a valid and current medical cannabis card and, if appropriate, to confirm that the amount and type of product in the individual's possession comply with the daily dosage limit and type of medical cannabis recommended
• Healthcare practitioners licensed to prescribe prescription drugs
• Registered certifying physicians
• Dispensaries
• The State Board of Medical Examiners
• Licensed pharmacists

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana In Alabama?

Health insurers in Alabama are not required to cover the cost of medical cannabis and medical cannabis products. Note that public and private insurance companies do not typically pay for medical marijuana costs, even in legalized states, because marijuana remains illegal on a federal level. In accordance with federal law, cannabis is a Schedule 1 substance with no accepted medical purpose.

What Is the Medical Card Limit In Alabama?

With a valid Alabama medical marijuana card, a patient can purchase up to 50 mg of THC products daily. The dosage may be increased to 75 mg daily after 3 months if the patient’s doctor deems it necessary.

Can You Go To A Dispensary Without A Medical Card In Alabama

No. Anyone intending to buy medical marijuana in Alabama must present a valid medical marijuana card issued by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission.