The Status of Cannabis Legalization in Alabama
Despite its long and tumultuous relationship with strict cannabis possession laws, Gov. Kay Ivey signed SB 46 into law on May 17, 2021, legalizing medical marijuana in Alabama. SB 46, otherwise known as the Act, has made Alabama the 37th state to approve the use of medical cannabis. It passed recently in the Alabama House of Representatives, after passing the Senate in February 2021, and underwent some initial amendments to the law before it was signed.
The Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act is named after the son of State Rep. Laura Hall, who passed away from AIDS and inspired the medical marijuana law. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Patient Registry established by this law will keep track of doctor certifications, patient registration, and medical card information, as well as dosages and types of medical cannabis recommended by the prescribing doctors. It will also track dates of purchases and amounts of products a patient purchases from dispensaries.
The Act has also created the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission in order to regulate, license, and oversee the production of medical cannabis. The commission will consist of 14 members who will be appointed by the governor and other Alabama legislators and are subject to the state Senate for confirmation. The commissioned members will not be public officials, candidates for public office, lobbyists, or public employees. Instead, they will have certain professional backgrounds, such as being in agriculture, medicine, and pharmacy. They will also be unable to have any financial interest in medical cannabis-related companies.
Patients will be allowed to have a medical cannabis certification for up to 12 months when it will need to be renewed if it is still needed. The 9% tax revenue from medical cannabis sales will go towards regulating the medical marijuana program, and any excess revenue will go towards the state’s general fund and a new Medical Cannabis Research Fund.
In addition, Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin issued a blanket pardon for more than 15,000 closed marijuana convictions dating between 1990 to 2020.
Though cannabis possession is still illegal and is a chargeable offense, the Alabama Senate just passed a marijuana decriminalization bill on March 3, 2021. This bill has not been completely signed into law as it still needs to be voted on in the Alabama House and signed into law by Gov. Ivey. It is, however, a very promising bill for the residents of Alabama.
When the decriminalization bill is fully passed, people with past cannabis possession convictions will be able to petition the courts to have their records expunged of the charges. This law would make it so that you can only be fined $250 if you possess two ounces or more of cannabis for the first offense. You will receive a $500 fine for the second offense and $750 fine for the third. Thankfully there will no longer be a threat of jail time for marijuana possession in Alabama.
Qualifying Conditions
Patients can get certification for a medical cannabis card in Alabama for the conditions below. However, it is important to note that medical marijuana should not be used as the first option to treat these conditions and is available to patients after there is documentation that traditional therapies have been tried, or if the initial medical treatment indicates that medical cannabis use is the standard for care.
Caregivers
Caregivers are allowed in the state of Alabama, with patients’ loved ones allowed to pick up their prescription on their behalf. Caregivers must be 21-years-old or older and is the parent, legal guardian, or caregiver of a registered minor. Patients under the age of 19 must have their caregiver pick up their prescriptions. Cultivation is illegal in Alabama for both medical and recreational purposes. If found growing cannabis, criminal charges and fines are possible.
Additionally, the state is not presently issuing any type of business license to cultivate cannabis at this time. Still in its infancy, medical cannabis legalization in Alabama will take time to grow, but in the meanwhile, thousands of citizens now have safe and legal access to medical cannabis, which conclusively eases certain conditions in Alabama.
Possession and Cultivation in Alabama
Once the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act is fully established and medical cannabis is available, you will be able to buy up to 60 daily doses at a time and have up to 70 doses in your possession. Daily dosages will be initially capped at 50 milligrams of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and can be raised up to 75 milligrams for patients after 90 days of being a part of the medical marijuana program. Patients with terminal illnesses may be able to receive over 75 milligrams of THC, but they would have to have their driver’s licenses suspended while receiving it.
As the regulatory commission gets established, the daily dosages available to patients may be dependent on the qualifying medical condition they have. Minors who qualify for medical cannabis will be unable to use products that have more than 3% THC.
Once medical marijuana is available for purchase in Alabama, you will be able to purchase cannabis tablets, capsules, tinctures, or gel cubes for oral use. Gels, oils, transdermal patches, topicals, nebulizers, and liquids or oils will also be available for use in an inhaler. You will be unable to receive parts of the cannabis plant and products that can be smoked or vaped as well as edibles.
CBD Oil Program
Alabama already has a formal CBD oil program under Len’s Law, which is legislation that was passed in 2019 to legalize CBD oil containing up to 3 mg of THC. To register for the CBD program, all applications must be submitted to the University of Alabama Birmingham Neurology Department.
To receive a medical license for CBD, a patient must prove they are a resident of Alabama and have a physician’s referral letter based on a qualifying condition. CBD oil costs vary depending on the type and dosage, which can only be sold to those who are a part of the CBD oil program.
With a prescription from a board-certified neurologist, Alabama residents can legally purchase CBD oil in Anniston, Auburn, Birmingham, Clanton, Cullman, Dauphin Island, Dothan, Eufaula, Fairhope, Fort Payne, Gadsden, Gulf Shores, Guntersville, Homewood, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Mountain Brook, Opelika, Orange Beach, Phenix City, Prattville, and Selma Beach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marijuana is currently not legal in Alabama. Once the medical cannabis program has been established, it will be legal for medicinal purposes only, with those holding an Alabama cannabis license or certified patients allowed possession.
No. Employers can refuse to hire someone who uses medical cannabis and can fire employees for medical cannabis use.
The only place to safely consume cannabis is in a private residence even if you hold a medical marijuana license.
Though there has not been a clear date set for patients to apply for medical cannabis cards, entities and people who are interested in growing, processing, or operating a dispensary can begin applying on September 1, 2022.
Medical marijuana products will be available at licensed dispensaries. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission plans on initially issuing dispensary licenses to up to 4 companies who would be allowed three dispensaries, each in different counties. They will also issue integrated facility licenses to a maximum of five companies that could have a maximum of 5 dispensary sites. Currently, the legislation will allow up to 27 locations where you will be able to get medical cannabis products.
No. Insurance plans will not be required to cover the costs of medical cannabis products.
Once the medical marijuana program is operating, you must be an Alabama resident in order to qualify and you must be 19 or older. If you are under the age of 18, you will need an adult to register as your caregiver.