Is Cannabis Legal In Alabama?

Cannabis for Medical Use in Alabama

The state of Alabama has a limited medical marijuana program that allows for the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil to treat certain medical conditions. The program was established in 2014 with the passage of Carly’s Law, named after a young girl named Carly Chandler who suffered from severe epilepsy.

Under Carly’s Law, the University of Alabama at Birmingham was authorized to conduct a study on the use of CBD oil for the treatment of epilepsy. In 2016, the Alabama legislature passed Leni’s Law, named after another child with epilepsy, which expanded the program to include other qualifying medical conditions such as terminal illnesses and severe chronic pain.

As of May 17, 2021, cannabis for medical use was made legal for patients diagnosed with one of the 15 qualifying medical conditions and obtain a recommendation from a licensed physician. Patients must also obtain a registry card from the Alabama Department of Public Health.

However, the program is not yet fully operational. Patients can expect products to be available sometime in 2023, in the form of “tablets, capsules, tinctures, or gel cubes for oral use; gels, oils or creams for topical use, or suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, or liquids or oils for use in an inhaler.” A qualified patient or caregiver may possess no more than 70 daily dosages, each being 50mg or less. Growing and flower & edibles are currently prohibited.

Qualifying Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cancer related cachexia, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, chronic pain
• Crohn’s Disease
• Depression
• Epilepsy or a condition 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
• A terminal illness
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Condition causing chronic or intractable pain

* State law further requires recommending physicians to cite documentation indicating that “conventional medical treatment or therapy has failed” prior to issuing a medical cannabis recommendation.

Recreational Use of Cannabis in Alabama

The recreational use of cannabis in the state of Alabama is punishable by law. After previously failing, advocates are still pushing for decriminalization, but recreational legalization is not yet on the ballot. But thanks the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizing hemp and it’s derivatives, low-THC hemp-derived delta-8 THC products containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC are legal.

Where Can I Get Cannabis in Alabama?

Unfortunately, you can’t… yet. Even though Alabama has a legal medical use program, the program is not fully operational yet.