MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Alabama’s medical marijuana program could take a significant step forward Thursday as the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission considers awarding long-delayed dispensary licenses — a move officials say is necessary before patients can legally access products.
The AMCC will review an administrative law judge’s recommendations for issuing four dispensary licenses, the maximum allowed under the state’s 2021 Compassion Act. While the commission issued licenses to cultivators, processors, transporters and the state testing lab two years ago, dispensary licenses have been frozen amid lawsuits and disputes between companies competing for the limited slots.
Cultivators have grown medical cannabis under tight security since 2024, but the absence of approved dispensaries has stalled the system. The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners has declined to certify physicians to recommend cannabis until at least one dispensary license is issued, AMCC general counsel Justin Aday said.
“That’s the missing link at this point,” Aday said. “Issuing one would complete the supply chain and allow the program to move forward.”
If approved Thursday, licenses could be formally issued within 28 days. However, Aday cautioned that dispensaries would still face additional setup time before opening to patients.
The biggest legal battle remains unresolved. Several companies are still contesting the five “integrated licenses,” which would allow a single operator to grow, process and dispense cannabis. Companies awarded those licenses may operate up to five dispensary locations each, for a total of 25 statewide. Dispensary-only licensees — the ones under consideration Thursday — may operate up to three locations each, for a total of 12.
Investigative hearings for the integrated license applications are expected to begin soon, and the industry will remain limited until those decisions are made.
Even so, Aday said Thursday’s potential vote marks a critical milestone.
“I think it has the opportunity to be a monumental day for the commission and for the program — and most importantly for those folks awaiting these products to treat conditions allowed under the law,” he said.
Under the Compassion Act, patients certified by approved physicians may purchase medical cannabis in forms such as gummies, capsules, tablets, tinctures, oils, patches and other non-smokable products. Approved conditions include chronic pain, cancer-related nausea and weight loss, depression, panic disorder, PTSD, epilepsy, muscle spasms and several others.
The AMCC meets Thursday morning in Montgomery.
