Alabama is preparing to roll out its long-awaited medical cannabis program, with the first dispensary set to open in the state capital next month.
Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery is scheduled to begin serving patients on May 4, marking a milestone for a system that has faced repeated setbacks. The shop is the first of nine dispensaries expected to be operating by the summer, according to updates shared during an April 9 meeting of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission.
Commission Chair Dr. Sam Blakemore said progress is ongoing but not yet complete. One additional license remains tied up, delaying the full rollout. He expressed hope that all 12 approved dispensaries would be functioning by the final quarter of the year.
So far, roughly 40 doctors have been cleared to recommend medical marijuana, and 66 patients have received official authorization cards.
The launch comes five years after the state legalized medical cannabis in 2021. What was initially expected to move forward quickly became entangled in legal challenges. Several companies that were denied licenses filed lawsuits, questioning how permits were distributed. Those disputes forced regulators to revisit their decisions multiple times, pushing the program’s debut far beyond its original timeline.
Even now, as the first sales approach, scrutiny of the commission continues. A recent audit highlighted a series of concerns, including issues with documentation practices, adherence to open meetings rules, and questions surrounding fee policies. The audit also pointed to an overpayment exceeding $204,000 to an external law firm.
In response, state legislators have introduced several proposals this session aimed at reshaping the commission’s structure and revising how its members are appointed.
The current framework permits up to five vertically integrated companies, each able to operate as many as five storefronts. In addition, the state may license 12 cultivators, four processing facilities, and four standalone dispensary operators, with each of those allowed up to three locations.
So far, regulators have issued licenses to four dispensary operators, four processors, and nine growers. The retail permits were finalized in December.
Advocacy groups say the launch is only one part of the challenge. The Alabama Cannabis Coalition is urging officials to begin a statewide education effort, arguing that many patients who qualify for treatment still do not understand how to access it legally.
Under state rules, patients must first register in an official database and obtain certification from an approved physician before they can purchase cannabis products. Despite these rules being in place for a while, advocates say public awareness remains limited.
Those desiring marijuana policy reform around the country will be pleased that concrete steps are now taking shape in Alabama and patients could soon access MMJ legally. Firms like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) will be hoping that the program stabilizes and no further setbacks hinder its implementation.
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