Alabama’s First Medical Cannabis Dispensary Set to Open in May
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has announced that the state’s first licensed medical cannabis dispensary is expected to open in early May, marking a major milestone in the implementation of Alabama’s medical marijuana program. The program was legalized in 2021, but years of legal delays and regulatory setbacks have slowed its rollout.
Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery is set to become the first operational dispensary in the state, with a planned opening date of May 4. However, there is still no concrete timeline for the opening of a dispensary in northern Alabama.
While the opening of the dispensary is a significant step forward, advocates are warning that it is only half the equation. The Alabama Cannabis Coalition is calling for an immediate statewide public education campaign to inform patients about the steps required to legally obtain medical cannabis.
According to the coalition, thousands of eligible patients are unaware of the process, which includes creating an account in the state’s patient registry and obtaining a physician certification. The coalition argues that without a clear and accessible public education campaign, many Alabamians will not know how to participate in the program, even as it becomes operational.
“We need a comprehensive public education campaign to ensure that patients understand how to access the system,” said Marty Schelper, Founder and President of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition. “Patients cannot access a system they don’t understand.”
The coalition has developed patient education resources and has consistently urged state officials to launch a coordinated information effort. Despite the planned opening of the dispensary, the coalition will continue to push for a public education campaign to ensure that patients can access the program successfully.
“This is a significant milestone for Alabama’s medical cannabis program, but implementation is only successful if patients are able to access it,” said Schelper. “As dispensaries prepare to open, the urgency for a coordinated public education effort becomes even more critical to ensure the system functions as intended.”
