What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Card in Alabama (2024)

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in Alabama?

The Alabama Medical Marijuana Program lists 15 medical conditions that make patients eligible for medical cannabis treatments.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Alabama 2024

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) recognizes the following qualifying conditions for medical marijuana treatment and medical card eligibility:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cancer-related cachexia, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, chronic pain
• Crohn's Disease
• Depression
• Epilepsy or a condition causing seizures
• HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss
• Panic Disorder
• Parkinson's Disease
• Persistent nausea unrelated to pregnancy
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Spasticity associated with Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, or spinal cord injury
• Terminal illness
• Tourette's Syndrome
• Condition causing chronic or intractable pain unresponsive to, or untreatable with, opiates and conventional therapy

Does Alabama Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Alabama legalized medical marijuana in 2021 and, as of January 2024, is still establishing the framework for its medical marijuana program. Therefore, it has not expanded its list of qualifying conditions since legalizing medical cannabis and has not established regulations for adding new conditions to this list.

Does Alabama Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

No. Alabama makes no provisions for approving medical cannabis for illnesses other than the ones named on its list of qualifying medical conditions. Therefore, when physicians in the state cannot recommend patients for conditions that are not included in the list even if they deem such conditions as debilitating or terminal.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in Alabama?

Yes. Alabama requires patients who wish to partake in its medical cannabis program to obtain recommendations from their physicians. Certifying physicians must be state-registered and have prior physician-patient relationships with patients. These physicians must diagnose or confirm that patients have one or more of the state’s qualifying conditions.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Alabama?

In addition to having a qualifying condition and obtaining a physician certification, Alabama requires anyone applying for its medical cannabis card to be:

• A resident of the state
• 19 years or older; An applicant under the age of 19 must have a caregiver who is their legal guardian or parent