Alabama Marijuana and Cannabis License

Now the usage of medical marijuana is legal in the State of Alabama. Below we tried to gather all up-to-date information on the legalization of marijuana in Alabama and license types.

Alabama marijuana legalization

As we saw, after May of 2021, Alabama is the next state to adopt a marijuana program. According to the Senate Bill 46 by the Governor, the usage of medical marijuana is already legal in Alabama. Nevertheless, the law is almost 100 pages, so you know there are a lot of exceptions and terms out there. We have tried to sum up all necessary information about Alabama marijuana license types. Also, we described in detail each license type and added some tips on how to get a marijuana license.

Medical cases for marijuana usage

Briefly, SB 46 legalized marijuana usage for adults and minors with specific conditions under a doctor’s strict guidance. According to the law, to be eligible to use medical marijuana, you must visit a doctor who has an Alabama medical license. In fact, the doctor must also have passed an examination on medical marijuana. He will state that you have a certain medical condition that qualifies for treatment with marijuana. Below you will find the qualifying medical conditions that were specified by the Alabama Department of Public Health. 

• Tourette syndrome
• Cachexia which is associated with cancer, weight loss, chronic pain, nausea or vomiting,
• Terminal illness
• Panic disorder
• Nausea and/or weight loss related to HIV/AIDS
• Autism
• Parkinson’s
• Frequent nausea not responsive to regular therapy
• PTSD
• Spasticity connected with MS or spinal cord trauma
• Sickle cell disease
• Epilepsy or condition causing seizures
• Spasticity related to a motor neuron illness (ALS)
• Depression
• Crohn’s disease
• Chronic and/or stubborn pain if current therapeutic medication and drug treatment is inadvisable or has appeared useless.

In fact, when you get approval from your doctor after a consultation, you can apply for a medical marijuana card from Alabama. Of course, you will also need proof of Alabama residency. The usual fee for medical marijuana card will be about $65. With a medical marijuana card, you can purchase the necessary treatment from licensed dispensaries. But please note, that after you have a medical marijuana card approval, your information is available to the statewide cannabis patient registry system. Actually, this is mandatory as it helps regulate the legal usage of marijuana.

Qualified forms of medical marijuana in Alabama

This law allows the usage of medical marijuana in the following forms:

• Oral tablet,
• Non-sugarcoated gelatinous cube or pill
• Gel, oil, cream
• Other topical preparation
• Nebulizer
• Suppository
• Liquid or oil for an inhaler only
• Oral capsule or tincture
• Transdermal patch, etc.

Alabama Cannabis License regulation

In fact, an Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission consisting of 14 members will regulate the whole process of licensing. As for the cultivation and growing of cannabis, the Department of Agriculture and Industries of Alabama will do a lot of work.

Alabama Marijuana License types

Thus, there are a few types of Alabama Marijuana licenses out there. Here are the main licenses:

Cultivator License

The Department of Agriculture and Industries of Alabama, as noted before, will regulate this licensing process. The main authorized activity of the cultivator will be the cultivation of cannabis. The cultivator may also sell or transfer cannabis through a Secure Transporter to a processor. Moreover, the Cultivator will be eligible to sell or transfer the medical marijuana to a Dispensary.

Processor License

The Commission of Medical Cannabis of Alabama will regulate the processor license. The Processor will be able to purchase or transfer cannabis from a Cultivator. Moreover, he can process the cannabis into medical cannabis. This action also includes the labeling and packaging of processed cannabis. Then, the Processor can sell or transfer the medical marijuana to a Dispensary as well.

Dispensary License

The Commission of Medical Cannabis of Alabama will regulate the Dispensary License. The main activity of this license is the purchase or transfer of medical marijuana from the Processor. Also, the Dispensary License allows to purchase or transfer the marijuana from the licensed Cultivator or an integrated facility. Moreover, the Dispensary License permits running up to three dispensing sites. But still, the requirement is that these dispensing sites have to be located in different counties. Moreover, this license grants permission for the sale of medical marijuana to the patient who has certain qualifications.

Secure Transporter License

The Commission of Medical Cannabis of Alabama will regulate the Secure Transporter License. Briefly, this license allows storing and transportation of cannabis and medical cannabis as needed.

State Testing Laboratory License

The Commission of Medical Cannabis of Alabama will regulate the Testing License. In a word, this license permits possessing and testing cannabis products that have been cultivated and processed at licensed facilities.

Integrated Facility License

This license is regulated both by the Commission of Medical Cannabis of Alabama and the Department of Agriculture and Industries. The main activities this license authorizes are the cultivation of cannabis, processing the cannabis into medical marijuana. In brief, this license also permits dispensing and sale of marijuana to patients with medical qualifications. Then, it allows the transportation of marijuana between facilities and sale and transfer of cannabis to the Dispensary.

Alabama Marijuana Licensing Opportunities

First, there will be up to five vertically integrated licenses;

Second, the law will provide no more than four dispensary licenses in Alabama;

Then, up to four processing licenses should be given;

Finally, minimum of four and a maximum of 12 cultivation licenses in Alabama.

Applying for Alabama Medical Marijuana Business License

Starting from September 2022, anyone can apply to the Commission of Medical Cannabis of Alabama to get a license. You must present all necessary information, such as:

• Business name
• Business address and phone number
• SSN or federal tax identification number, if applicable
• Financial information and more.

Please note that you will pay a non-refundable fee of $2500 for the license application. Finally, the license fees for different application types are between $10.000 and $50.000.