Physicians can now apply to the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners for permits that will allow them to recommend medical marijuana products.
The board announced it is accepting applications now that the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has issued licenses for dispensaries, a key step after more than two years of delays in issuing licenses.
The AMCC issued its first three dispensary licenses on Thursday.
The licenses went to GP6 Wellness, RJK Holdings, and CCS of Alabama, companies selected by the AMCC in December.
Each dispensary licensee can have three dispensaries.
The AMCC selected a fourth dispensary company, Yellowhammer Medical Dispensaries, but it is on hold because of a challenge by a fifth company.
Here are the dispensary locations for the four companies chosen for licenses.
The AMCC had previously issued licenses to cultivators, processors, transporters, and a state testing lab.
Cultivators have been growing plants under tight restrictions since 2024.
The dispensary licenses and doctor certifications are expected to clear the way for products to become available later this year.
Doctors must obtain an annual certification permit from the Board of Medical Examiners to certify or recommend patients for the use of medical cannabis in Alabama.
To be eligible, physicians must hold an active, unrestricted Alabama medical license and meet additional requirements, including completion of a four-hour medical cannabis course offered by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
Applications are subject to review and approval by the Board of Medical Examiners.
“The Board’s role is to administer the physician certification process and ensure compliance with the requirements established by the law,” William Perkins, executive director of the Board of Medical Examiners, said in a press release.
“Physicians considering participation in the medical cannabis program should review the requirements carefully before applying for a certification permit.”
The Alabama Legislature approved medical marijuana in 2021 and created the AMCC to oversee the new industry from seed to sale.
The law, called the Compassion Act, allows companies to make gummies (peach-flavored only), tablets, capsules, tinctures, patches, oils, and other forms of medical marijuana products.
Patients who receive a medical cannabis card after seeing a certified doctor will be able to buy the products at the licensed dispensaries.
The law allows the products to be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, weight loss and nausea from cancer, depression, panic disorder, epilepsy, muscle spasms caused by disease or spinal cord injuries, PTSD, and others.
“With the issuance of dispensary licenses, Alabama’s medical cannabis program has reached an important milestone,” AMCC Executive Director John McMillan said.
“We appreciate a strong working relationship with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and look forward to having physicians certified to recommend patients for medical cannabis treatment.”
The AMCC has not yet issued licenses for what should be the largest companies in Alabama’s medical marijuana business – integrated companies that will grow, process, and dispense medical cannabis.
The delays are the result of lawsuits and other problems associated with more than 30 companies competing for licenses.
The AMCC can issue up to five integrated licenses, and each can have five dispensaries.
Mike Cason has covered politics and state government for AL.com since 2013. Cason has worked as a reporter or editor since receiving a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Alabama in 1986….
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