Medical cannabis could finally be available in Alabama this year after a patient registration portal opened earlier this month.
That milestone could put the market on track to launch as soon as this spring, five years after the state legalized MMJ.
Five physicians are currently licensed to recommend cannabis to patients, with the state commission scheduled to approved more in coming weeks, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.
Alabama medical marijuana suffered years of delays
Medical cannabis cultivators have been licensed and operating since last year. But they’ve had nowhere to legally sell their product after multiple licensing rounds for retailers and vertically integrated businesses were canceled amid allegations of favoritism and several lawsuits.
The last of those lawsuits appeared resolved earlier this month when the state Court of Civil Appeals dismissed a challenge brought by several applicants that were denied licenses.
Prior to that, the state Medical Cannabis Commission awarded the first dispensary licenses in December, leading commission Chair Rex Vaughn to predict spring 2026 as the earliest time patients could begin purchasing cannabis.
Now that dispensary licenses have been awarded, the next step is final inspections, permitting and certification, according to The Cullman Tribune.
Nine cities across the state will have retail dispensaries, according to state data.
What medical marijuana products will be available in Alabama?
Their options will be limited to products like capsules, tinctures, measured inhalers and transdermal patches. Cannabis flower suitable for smoking or vaping is prohibited, as are cannabis edibles.
Patients seeking access must be diagnosed with one of the state’s approved conditions, which include cancer-related symptoms, epilepsy, PTSD and chronic pain.
Once certified, patients can register through the AMCC’s online portal to obtain a medical cannabis card.
It’s still not yet clear how many patients will enroll in the program. Sales could reach $270 million in the first year of operation, according to an MJBizFactbook projection.
