Person Using Macbook Pro — Submit an application for a business license here. (Unsplash)

On Thursday, September 1, the application process opened for anyone to apply for a medical cannabis business license in Alabama. This news comes after the Hall Compassion Act was passed last year, allowing registered patients to use and safely access medical cannabis. Read on for details, including how to apply.

Apply today

From now until October 17, you can submit an application for a business license to grow, process and sell marijuana for medical use to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC).

If you’re interested in starting a business for medical cannabis cultivation, processing, dispensing, secure transporting, state testing laboratories and integrated facilities, you may apply. By submitting a request for a business application, you’ll receive a form on October 24 with a nonrefundable application fee of $2,500.

“We are excited to see the many components of the program come together and provide not only business and career opportunities to Alabamians, but most importantly, we are one step closer to meeting the needs of thousands of residents who suffer from various medical conditions whose symptoms may be alleviated by the proper use of medical cannabis products.”
John McMillan, Director, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission

Details of the Alabama program

After applications are evaluated, AMCC will be awarding:

12 cultivator licenses
four processor licenses
four dispensary licenses
five integrated facility licenses
and an unspecified number of secure transport and state testing laboratory licenses.

“Throughout the development of the program, the Commission’s focus has been to ensure that future patients receive high quality, safe and affordable products. That focus will continue as we begin to evaluate medical cannabis business applicants. We hope our efforts will foster a model program, where Alabama’s medical cannabis business licensees are providing qualified patients with safe products that they can trust.”
Dr. Steven Stokes, Commission Chairman and Oncologist, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission

Under Alabama’s program, patients who have been diagnosed with the following medical conditions may be recommended medical cannabis:

Autism spectrum disorder
Cancer-related pain or nausea
Crohn’s Disease
Depression
Epilepsy or conditions causing seizures
HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss
Panic disorder
Parkinson’s Disease
Persistent nausea
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Sickle cell anemia
Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury
Tourette’s Syndrome
A terminal illness
Or conditions causing chronic or intractable pain.

Raw plant materials, products administered by smoking or vaping or food products such as cookies or candies will not be allowed under this program. Tablets, tinctures, gels, oils or creams, transdermal patches and more may be recommended to patients. See the full list of allowed products.

According to the timeline, licenses could be issued by June 2023, with medical cannabis products expected to be available to the public by late 2023 or early 2024.

Learn more about the Alabama medical cannabis program here. Ready to apply? Submit your application today.

Stay up to date on what’s happening around Alabama—follow The Bama Buzz on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok + LinkedIn.