Alabama’s Medical Cannabis Program Delayed Again After Court Ruling

23 April 2025

The rollout of Alabama’s medical cannabis program has been delayed again. A state judge ruled that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) misused emergency rules when it issued licenses, requiring the process to start over for a third time.

The decision adds to a long list of setbacks that have already slowed business openings, tested public trust, and frustrated patients waiting for access to treatment.

Problems in Alabama’s Cannabis Licensing System

The April 2025 ruling follows earlier disputes that revealed deeper issues in Alabama’s medical cannabis program.

• December 2024: A court decision found major flaws in how the AMCC handled licensing and appeals. Judges said the agency needed clearer standards and more transparency to restore public confidence and attract investment.

• February 2025: Lawmakers proposed SB 72, which would cancel existing medical cannabis licenses and create a new review system. If approved, businesses that had already built facilities or begun cultivation and testing work would lose their licenses and have to apply again.

At the time, several lawmakers and business owners said it might be better to let the AMCC finish the current process rather than restart it. The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals is still expected to issue a ruling on lawsuits tied to these disputes.

Effects on Medical Cannabis Patients in Alabama

• Patients waiting for medical marijuana in Alabama remain uncertain and still lack legal access to treatment.
• No dispensaries have opened, even though medical cannabis was legalized in 2021.
• Many patients continue to go without approved medical cannabis certification, leaving them with few alternatives for relief.

Impact on Cannabis Businesses

• Businesses that invested in cultivation, dispensaries, and testing labs now face possible financial losses.
• Companies holding provisional licenses are unsure if they must reapply, creating uncertainty about future operations.
• The ongoing instability has discouraged new investment and slowed the broader cannabis industry in Alabama.

What Comes Next

The AMCC must now decide whether to appeal the court ruling or restart licensing under standard rules. Either choice could delay Alabama’s medical cannabis program even longer.

If SB 72 becomes law, the state would adopt an entirely new review system, forcing all applicants to start from the beginning and extending the timeline further.

Some policy observers say the state might be better off improving the current system rather than discarding it. They warn that repeated restarts could damage public trust and stall progress for medical cannabis in Alabama.