Business
Culture
Community
Features
Menu
×
Business
Culture
Community
Features
About Us
Fact Checking Policy
Advertising
Contact Us
Health care
—
Share:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Five physicians across Alabama — including two in North Alabama — are now qualified to certify patients for participation in the state’s medical cannabis program, according to a January update from the Alabama Cannabis Coalition.
The newly listed physicians include providers in Huntsville, Gadsden, Vestavia Hills, Foley, and Mobile. North Alabama patients now have certified physicians available in both Huntsville and Gadsden as the state continues building out its medical cannabis infrastructure.
Those currently identified as qualified to certify patients are:
Clinton Scott Williams, MD — Huntsville
Roger Stanford Buck, MD — Gadsden
John Harris Irons, MD — Vestavia Hills
Valerie Catherine Staples, DO — Foley
Luke Burkett Fondren, DO — Mobile
Under Alabama’s medical cannabis law, physicians do not prescribe cannabis. Instead, qualified physicians certify that a patient has a qualifying condition and may participate in the state registry once patient registration is fully implemented.
Program guidance emphasizes that cannabis remains federally illegal and cannot be prescribed. Certification allows a patient to apply for a medical cannabis card through the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission registry when that step opens.
According to the coalition update, the only action patients can currently take is to schedule an appointment with a qualified physician for evaluation and certification documentation. Additional physicians are expected to be approved.
To qualify for authorization to certify patients, physicians must meet multiple state requirements, including:
• Active, unrestricted Alabama medical license with no serious discipline in the past five years
• Active Alabama controlled substances registration
• Alabama-specific DEA registration
• Registration with the state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
• Registration — or immediate intent to register — with the medical cannabis patient registry system
• Completion of a board-approved four-hour medical cannabis course and exam
• Disclosure of practice locations where certifications will occur
• Payment of a $300 non-refundable application fee
The physician certification milestone follows a major licensing movement late last year on the dispensing side of the program.
According to an Associated Press report, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission approved licenses in December for three dispensary companies and is considering a fourth. Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn said the approvals marked a pivotal step after years of litigation and false starts that delayed the program. He estimated medical cannabis products could become available in spring 2026 if remaining steps proceed on schedule.
Each licensed dispensary company may operate up to three storefront locations statewide. The next phases include expanding physician certifications and establishing the patient registry system needed to issue cannabis cards.
State regulators continue working through the final administrative steps as Alabama’s medical cannabis program moves closer to patient access.
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
Mecca Musick — Yesterday
Balloons lined the room, cake was set out for guests, and a quiet space inside Huntsville Hospital became the setting for a heartfelt celebration Friday morning. There, Hospice Family Care […]
Sherri Blevins — 2 days ago
A regional funding partnership involving the Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) is helping bring a new biotechnology startup to Madison, with a focus on expanding access to […]
Staff reports — 2 weeks ago
Sherri Blevins — 2 weeks ago
Mecca Musick — 3 weeks ago
Staff reports — 3 weeks ago
Mecca Musick — 4 weeks ago
Staff reports — 4 weeks ago
Next Post
Rooted in the communities we call home, our dedicated local team delivers the North Alabama news that truly impacts your daily life. From business and government to workforce and culture, this is where you’ll find the stories shaping our region.
About
Fact Checking Policy
Privacy Policy
Advertising
Contact Us
© 2026 256 Today