ALABAMA CANNABIS PROGRAM
ALABAMA
STATE STATUS
The Alabama Senate approved SB 46, the Alabama Compassionate Act, in a 20-10 vote on February 24, 2021. The House of Representatives approved a modified version of the bill in a 68-34 vote on May 6, 2021. On May 17, the Senate concurred with the Houses’ changes to the details, and Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law. Access to medical cannabis is through state licensed businesses that are allowed to grow, manufacture and sell medical cannabis. The Alabama Compassionate Act would restrict the number of licenses and patient qualifying conditions. It also would ban smokable flower, vaping products, candies and baked goods. This would allow marijuana in pill form, oils, and topical products.
State licensed businesses are allowed to cultivate, manufacture and dispense marijuana – learn more about how to get an Alabama medical marijuana business license or schedule a complimentary consultation, below.
Hemp
Yes
Medical
Yes
Adult-Use
No
When To Apply
Closed
News
ALABAMA MARIJUANA BUSINESS LICENSES
Types of Alabama Marijuana Businesses:
Alabama Medical Cannabis Cultivator:
- Authorized to grow cannabis.
- Authorized to sale or transfer cannabis to a processor.
- Authorized to transfer cannabis only by means of a secure transporter.
- The commission shall issue no more than 12 cultivator licenses.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Processor:
- Authorized to purchase cannabis from a cultivator
- Authorized to process cannabis into medical cannabis which shall include properly packaging and labeling medical cannabis products
- Authorized to sale or transfer medical cannabis to a dispensary.
- Authorized to transfer cannabis only by means of a secure transporter.
- The commission shall issue no more than 4 processor licenses.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Dispensary:
- Authorized to dispense and sale medical cannabis to a registered qualified patient or registered caregiver.
- Authorized to purchase or transfer medical cannabis from a processor.
- Authorized to purchase or transfer medical cannabis from a cultivator.
- Authorized to purchase or transfer medical cannabis from an integrated facility.
- Authorized to transfer cannabis only by means of a secure transporter.
- The commission shall issue no more than 4 dispensary licenses, each of which could have up to three locations in different counties.
- More dispensaries could be approved if patient demand warrants it.
Alabama Secure Transporters:
- Authorized to store and transport cannabis and medical cannabis for a fee upon request of a licensee.
- A license does not authorize transport to a registered qualified patient or registered caregiver.
Alabama Testing Laboratories:
- Authorized to test cannabis and medical cannabis to ensure the product meets safety qualifications
- Authorized to take cannabis or medical cannabis from, test cannabis or medical cannabis for, and return cannabis or medical cannabis to only a respective licensed facility.
- Authorized to collect a random sample of cannabis or medical cannabis at the premises of a cultivator, processor, or dispensary for testing.
Alabama Integrated facility licenses:
- Authorized to cultivate cannabis.
- Authorized to process cannabis into medical cannabis, including proper packaging and labeling of medical cannabis products.
- Authorized to dispense and sale medical cannabis only to a registered qualified patient or registered caregiver.
- Authorized to transport cannabis or medical cannabis between its facilities.
- Authorized to sale or transfer medical cannabis to a dispensary.
- The commission shall issue no more than 5 integrated facility licenses
Regulating Department:
Under Senate Bill 46, an appointed 14-member Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission is charged with implementation of most of the licensing and regulation. The Department of Agriculture and Industries will play a significant role in regulating cultivation. The bill envisions the commission employing a director, an assistant director, one or more inspection officers, and other staff. It will retain legal counsel to advise on best practices of other states. The commission will create an electronic registry system and issue ID cards. The commission will charge non-refundable application fees of $2,500. The commission will set licensing fees between $10,000 and $50,000. A 9% gross proceeds tax will be levied on medical cannabis retail sales.
HOW TO START A MARIJUANA BUSINESS IN ALABAMA
To operate a marijuana business in Alabama, you will need the following plans:
- Security Plan
- Environmental Impact Plan
- Quality Control and Quality Assurance Plan
- Business Plan
- Financial Plan
- Community Benefits Plan
- Research Plan
- Cultivation, Manufacturing and/or Dispensing Plan
- Labor Compliance Plan
- Staffing and Training Plan
Schedule for a complimentary 15-min consult with our licensing/application team to learn more about how we may be able to assist you.
ALABAMA MARIJUANA PROGRAM TIMELINE
February 24 – The Alabama Senate approved the bill in a 20-10 vote.
May 6 – The House of Representatives approved a modified version of the bill in a 68-34 vote.
May 17 – Senate concurred with the Houses’ changes to the details. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill into law.
September 1, 2022 – Applications open for Cultivator, processor, secure transporter, state testing laboratory, dispensary and integrated licenses.
October 17, 2022 – Deadline to submit Request for Application
October 24, 2022 – Application Forms sent electronically to Applicants who timely submitted Request for Application
October 31, 2022 – Applicants may begin filing completed Application Forms
December 30, 2022 – Deadline to file Application Form; Deadline to file amendments to previously filed applications
July 10, 2023 – Licenses Issued (unless subject to stay issued by Commission)
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Owner, Firefly Dispensaries in Pennsylvania."Working with Sara was a pleasure. We don’t know how we would have gotten through the application process without her."
Arizona Vertically Integrated Facility Owner