Alabama’s long-sought medical cannabis program is nearing operational status following recent developments from the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. After years of regulatory delays and legal challenges, Cullman County is poised to become a future dispensary location, marking a significant step in the program’s rollout.
In 2021, the Alabama Legislature authorized the medical cannabis program through the Darren Wesley “Ato” Hall Compassion Act. This law permits marijuana use strictly for medical purposes within a regulated framework, while recreational use remains illegal in the state. In a pivotal move, the commission voted in December 2025 to issue the state’s first dispensary licenses, advancing a program that had faced numerous setbacks, including revoked decisions and court interventions.
Several dispensary sites are planned across Alabama, with Cullman County included among them. Though specific products are not yet available for purchase, state officials report that the program is now in its final administrative phase. The medical cannabis program in Alabama is notably stringent; for instance, smoking or vaping marijuana is prohibited, and raw plant material cannot be sold. Instead, approved products encompass capsules, tablets, tinctures, topical creams, gels, oils, transdermal patches, suppositories, nebulizers, and measured inhalers.
The connection between Cullman County and the medical cannabis initiative has been significantly influenced by Wagon Trail Med-Serv, a local company aiming to secure an integrated facility license for cultivation, processing, and dispensing. In June 2023, the commission initially awarded these licenses, but shortly after, an emergency meeting led to a pause due to inconsistencies in application scoring. Wagon Trail Med-Serv was among those affected.
The situation shifted in August 2023 when the commission reissued the licenses, but Wagon Trail Med-Serv was denied the integrated facility license yet again. Following an appeal and ongoing collaboration with state regulators, the commission voted in December 2023 to award the licenses once more, with Wagon Trail Med-Serv among the selected businesses. Inspections followed, indicating progress toward final licensure.
Joey Robertson, CEO of Wagon Trail Med-Serv, emphasized the company’s commitment to patient access despite the delays. “We have had such good support locally; it’s been tremendous and so positive,” he stated. “We just want to get this medicine to people that need it.”
Despite these advancements, legal challenges arose again in January 2024, temporarily halting the issuance of integrated facility licenses statewide. Robertson noted that inspections demonstrated the company’s preparedness, stating, “The pre-issuance inspection went well. We were able to demonstrate that everything in our application was factual and ahead of our initial projected timelines.” Legal resolutions eventually allowed the commission to resume its licensing activities throughout 2024 and into 2025.
As of late 2025, the commission began issuing dispensary licenses across the state, transitioning the program from the planning stage to implementation. Currently, no cannabis cultivation or processing facilities are operational in Cullman County. Licensing records indicate the county is designated for a dispensary location, pending completion of approvals, zoning, and permitting.
Under Alabama law, physicians can now register and become licensed to recommend medical cannabis to eligible patients. Doctors must hold an active Alabama medical license and complete specific training before registering with the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Once registered, physicians can certify that a patient has a qualifying condition, allowing them to apply for a medical cannabis card through the state system.
Patients must be state residents with qualifying conditions to legally purchase medical cannabis in Alabama. They must undergo an in-person evaluation by a licensed physician certified by the commission. Telemedicine evaluations are not permitted. Following approval, the physician enters the recommendation into the state’s medical cannabis registry. Patients then complete their registration with the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission to receive their medical cannabis card.
Qualifying conditions for medical cannabis under state law include various serious health issues such as autism spectrum disorder, cancer-related symptoms, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS-related conditions, panic disorder, and chronic pain, among others. Physicians are restricted to recommending cannabis only for conditions within their training and expertise.
Registered caregivers must pass background checks and are subject to limits on the number of patients they may assist. Local and state law enforcement agencies stress that marijuana remains illegal outside the provisions of the Compassion Act, and possession without a valid medical card is a criminal offense. Laws pertaining to impaired driving remain unchanged.
With dispensary licenses now issued and significant legal obstacles cleared, the focus of state officials has shifted toward final inspections, permitting, and patient certification. As dispensary operators secure locations and physicians prepare to certify patients, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission continues to oversee the program. For residents of Cullman County with qualifying medical conditions, the upcoming months could herald the first opportunity for legal access to medical cannabis locally, although the rollout will remain closely monitored and regulated.
