Alabama Cannabis Laws

Is cannabis legal in Alabama?

Alabama has a Medical Program only.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Alabama?

Medical cannabis:

2014

Governor Robert Bentley signs Carly’s Law, which permits the University of Alabama at Birmingham to provide non-psychoactive CBD oil to children with debilitating seizures as a clinical study. THC limits could not exceed 3%.

2016

Governor Bentley signs Leni’s Law, expanding the affirmative defense to include any individual who has a debilitating disease or condition involving seizures. THC content was not allowed to exceed 3%.

2021

Governor Key Ivey signs into law Senate Bill 46, the Darren Wesley ‘Ato’ Hall Compassion Act.

Recreational cannabis:

Non-medical, recreational, adult use of cannabis is currently illegal in Alabama. Penalties for possession can still be harsh. First-time possession of personal amounts is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison, a fine of up to $6000, and a mandatory six months driver’s license suspension. There were attempts to legalize adult-use cannabis for those aged 21 or over in 2019, but this proved unsuccessful.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Alabama?

The Alabama law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cancer-related cachexia, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, or chronic pain
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s Disease
• Depression
• Epilepsy or a condition causing seizures
• Panic disorder
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Persistent nausea that is not significantly responsive to traditional treatment. Exceptions include: nausea related to pregnancy, cannabis-induced cyclical vomiting syndrome or cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle cell anemia
• Spasticity associated with a motion neuron disease, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury
• Terminal illness
• Tourette’s syndrome

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Alabama?

At this time, Leafwell does not offer medical cannabis consultations. We recommend you visit a physician in Alabama to enquire about getting certified.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Alabama?

At this time, telemedicine is not permitted in Alabama. However, we hope this will change soon!

How much cannabis can I possess in Alabama with an MMJ Card?

Doctors can prescribe the drug for up to 12 months at a time. In most cases, the daily dosage can’t exceed 50 milligrams of THC, or 75 mg per day if the doctor considers it medically appropriate.

Products are available in the following forms:

• Oral tablet, capsule or tincture
• Non-sugar coated gelatinous cube, cuboid or lozenge
• Gel, oil, cream or other topical preparation
• Transdermal patch
• Nebulizer
• Liquid or oil only for an inhaler
• Suppository

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Alabama?

Cultivating cannabis is illegal in Alabama, even for medical marijuana patients.

Does Alabama accept out-of-state cards?

Alabama does not have medical marijuana reciprocity, and so does not recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards.

Will my Alabama card be accepted in other states?

Yes, an Alabama medical marijuana card is recognized by other states with medicinal cannabis reciprocity.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• US Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) – just that you are protected by the state’s medical marijuana laws to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and you intend on purchasing medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also beholden to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing a visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis card holders in Alabama?

Employers are allowed to create a drug-testing policy against medical marijuana or require employees to notify them if they start legally using the drug. Employers in Alabama are not required to accommodate medical marijuana patients.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Alabama?

There is no provision for testing in Carly’s Law.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Alabama?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy, or another legally designated space to purchase cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can actually do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Alabama?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals or any other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members club and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense and generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.