Doctors in Alabama who want the ability to prescribe medical marijuana for patients can now apply for certification through the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission announced today.
It’s the latest step in the long, slow march toward making medical marijuana available in Alabama after it was approved by law in 2021. Since then, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has faced numerous lawsuits over its approval process for businesses involved in the industry.
Doctors who want the ability to prescribe medical marijuana to patients must be certified every year by the board. To be eligible, physicians must hold an active, unrestricted Alabama medical license and meet additional requirements, including completion of a four-hour educational course related to medical cannabis offered by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
“The Board’s role is to administer the physician certification process and ensure compliance with the requirements established by the law,” said Board of Medical Examiners Executive Director William Perkins. “Physicians considering participation in the medical cannabis program should review the requirements carefully before applying for a certification permit.”
An official start date for the sale of medical marijuana is still a long ways off and not yet set in stone, but the ball is gaining momentum. The next AMCC meeting is set for Jan. 26.
“With the issuance of dispensary licenses, Alabama’s medical cannabis program has reached an important milestone,” said AMCC Executive Director John McMillan. “We appreciate a strong working relationship with the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and look forward to having physicians certified to recommend patients for medical cannabis treatment.”
Once medical marijuana is available in the state, doctors will be able to prescribe it to patients with the following conditions:
- Autism
- Cancer-related weight loss or chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Depression or panic disorders
- Epilepsy or conditions causing seizures
- HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss
- Parkinson’s disease
- Persistent nausea not related to pregnancy
- PTSD
- Sickle cell anemia
- Spasticity associated with diseases including ALS, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries
- Terminal illness
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Chronic pain for which conventional therapies and opiates should not be used or are ineffective
Patients prescribed medical marijuana will be able to visit an AMCC-approved dispensary and purchase products approved for sale. Raw marijuana, products that can be smoked or food products will not be available, but what will be includes:
- Tablets and capsules
- Tinctures
- Gels, oils and creams for topical use
- Suppositories
- Transdermal patches
- Nebulizers
- Liquids or oils for use in an inhaler
