Application Period Open for Alabama Testing Laboratory Licenses
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission made the announcement in its most recent meeting, intending to advance the state medical cannabis program.
Image | adobe.stock/squarelogo
In a February 19, 2025, news release, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) announced that it would being offering State Testing Laboratory Licenses, with the process starting February 14, 2025.
Applicants for the State Testing Laboratory license must submit a Request for Business Application by March 14 in order to receive a Business Application Form, which must be completed by April 16. Licenses will be issued on June 17, and there is no limit on the number of licenses awarded by AMCC.
“Despite some delays, we are excited to see the progress that’s being made in Alabama’s medical cannabis industry,” said AMCC Director John McMillan, in the news release. “There are several licensed cultivators who are growing and harvesting legal cannabis in Alabama, and this offering of state testing laboratory licenses is critical to move those crops through the process and, ultimately, into the hands of Alabama patients.”
In May 2021, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act into law, which established the AMCC and authorized it to implement the Act (2).
Qualifying conditions to become a medical cannabis patient are (3):
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Cancer related cachexia, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, chronic pain
- Crohn's Disease
- Depression
- Epilepsy or a condition causing seizures
- HIV/AIDS - related nausea or weight loss
- Panic Disorder
- Parkinson's Disease
- Persistent nausea
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spasticity associated with Multiple Sclerosis or spinal cord injury
- A terminal illness
- Tourette's Syndrome
- Condition causing chronic or intractable pain
As noted in the news release, permissible products for medical cannabis patients include tablets, capsules, tinctures, gelatinous cubes, gels, oils, and creams for topical use, suppositories, transdermal patches, nebulizers, liquids or oils for use in an inhaler. However, raw plant material, food products, and products that could be vaped or smoked are not allowed.
“The primary objective of the Commission has always been helping Alabama patients through access to the benefits of medical cannabis products,” explained Commission Chairman Rex Vaughn. “Delivering on that objective is possible only if we have licensed state testing laboratories to ensure those products are safe and satisfy the requirements of Alabama law.”
Currently, the medical program is still being developed and is not accepting patients yet (3). In his letter in the 2024 Legislative Annual Report, Director McMillan explained the status of the state’s medical cannabis program. “Unfortunately, Alabama’s medical cannabis program is not fully operational,” stated McMillan. “Cultivators can grow cannabis, processors can process the cannabis into medical cannabis, secure transporters can transport cannabis and medical cannabis at the request of a licensee, and a state testing laboratory can conduct product testing during all industry phases. Currently, however, these businesses have no market for their product because court orders have blocked the issuance of dispensary licenses (businesses that will provide medical cannabis to qualified patients). Thus, the program is frozen and Alabama physicians cannot be certified and their patients have no opportunity to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries.”
The goal is for the program to become fully operational in 2025, McMillan concluded in the letter.
References
- Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Opens Offering for State Testing Laboratory Licenses https://amcc.alabama.gov/2960/alabama-medical-cannabis-commission-opens-offering-for-state-testing-laboratory-licenses/ (accessed Feb 26, 2025).
- Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. 2024 Legislative Annual Report. https://amcc.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AMCC-Annual-Report-2024.pdf (accessed Feb 26, 2025).
- Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Patients and Caregivers https://amcc.alabama.gov/patients/ (accessed Feb 26, 2025).
Is Cannabis a Solution to the Opioid Crisis?
January 23rd 2025In this research overview, Ruth Fisher, PhD, explores how cannabis has shown promise in helping individuals reduce opioid use, potentially decreasing overdose deaths. Though its impact on chronic pain and opioid reduction remains evident, limitations exist and flaws in methodologies in ecological studies complicate conclusions.
