The Next Step After Physician Qualification

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-Click on the following link to create your patient portal: https://al-amcc-public.nls.egov.com/register

-Apply to the State Patient Registry

After being qualified by a physician, the next step is for the patient to apply for registration with the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) once the patient registry is fully implemented and open for public use.

How the Process Works (Plain Language)

 -Physician Qualification (First Step – Already Available)

• A qualified physician evaluates the patient.

• If approved, the physician issues documentation confirming eligibility.

• This is NOT a prescription — cannabis cannot be prescribed under federal law.

Physician qualification prepares the patient for registration but does not provide legal access on its own.

 - Patient Applies to the AMCC Registry (Next Required Step)

• Using the physician’s documentation, the patient applies to be entered into the state patient registry.

• This process is handled only by the AMCC.

• Physicians and advocacy organizations do not register patients.

 Approval & Registry Identification

• Once approved by the AMCC, the patient becomes officially registered.

• Registration is what legally authorizes participation in Alabama’s medical cannabis program.

 Access to Licensed Dispensaries (When Operational)

• Only registered patients may purchase medical cannabis.

• Purchases may only be made at state-licensed dispensaries, once operational.

• Cannabis will not be available until it has been grown, processed, tested, and stocked at licensed dispensaries.

• Grower, processor, and dispensary licenses have already been awarded, but products are not yet on shelves.

 Important Clarifications

- Qualification ≠ Registration

• Being qualified by a physician alone does not grant legal access.

• AMCC registration is mandatory.

- No Registry + No Dispensaries = No Purchases

• Until the registry is active and dispensaries are open, patients cannot legally obtain medical cannabis in Alabama.

- Advocacy Groups Are NOT the Clearinghouse

• Questions about timelines, registry status, rules, or access must be directed to the AMCC.

• Advocacy organizations and physicians do not control implementation.

 Bottom Line

Physician qualification gets you ready.
AMCC registration makes you legal.
Licensed dispensaries provide access — once operational.

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Certified Physicians (As of February 19, 2026)

As of this date, five physicians have been certified by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners to qualify patients under SB46 (2021).
(More physicians will be certified as the program continues to roll out. This is only the beginning.)

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Roy Delbert Ary, Jr., MD

845-466-1040

2100 Southbridge Pkwy #650

Birmingham, AL  35209

 

Roy Barco, MD, PhD

256-767-7494

102 A Physician's Drive

Muscle Shoals, AL  35661

 

Brent Edgeworth Boyett, DO

662-377-5199 (Mississippi phone #)

1256 Military St. S, Suite A

Hamilton, AL  35570

 

Roger Stanford Buck, MD

256-543-2273

307 E Meighan Blvd.

Gadsden, AL

 

Thavatchai Chamnongchareonwong, DO

334-239-8939

8300 Crossland Loop

Montgomery, AL   36117

 

Madhav Vijen Devani, MD

205-494-7677

Ross Bridge Medical Center

3635 Market Street

Hoover, AL  35226

 

Luke Burkett Fondren, DO

351-308-4990

7856 Westside Park, Suite 1

Mobile, AL  36695

 

Marilyn Joy Elizabeth Hepperle, MD

334-568-2273

102 Medical Center Drive Suite A

Prattville, AL  36066

 

Zenko J. Hrynkiw, MD

205-971-3566

3686 Grandview Pkwy

Birmingham, AL 35243

 

John Harris Irons, MD

205-332-3160

2868 Acton Road

Vestavia Hills, AL

 

Marquisha Denise Moore Jarmon, MD

205-855-0357

430 Emery Drive, Suite 200

Hoover, AL  35244

 

Henry Rene’ Lemley, MD

256-535-5945

333 Whitesport Dr SW

Huntsville, AL  35801

 

Jeffrey Wayne Long, DO

205-486-5213

42320 Hwy 195

Haleyville, AL  35565

 

Dr. Joseph Patrick Lucas

250-655-0585

3504 Vann Rd

Birmingham, AL  35235

 

Jerry Thomas McKnight, MD (2 locations)

205-332-3155

1020 26th St., Suite 100

Birmingham, AL  35205

 

256-841-0800

1300B Bridge Creek Drive, NE

Cullman, AL  35055

 

Viengxay Thomas Malavong, DO

334-780-8814

9920 Boe Rd, 

Irvington, AL  36544

 

Charles Alan Ogles, MD

256-354-5064

86261 AL-9

Ashland, AL 36251

 

Valerie Catherine Staples, DO

251-424-4244

205 W Orange Ave. 

Foley, AL  36535

 

James Dewey Thacker, Jr., MD

256-885-1605

185 Chateau Drive, Suite 302

Huntsville, AL  35801

 

Clinton Scott Williams, MD

256-535-5997

420 Lowell Drive, Suite 107

Huntsville, AL

Allowed Medical Cannabis Products in Alabama

Registered patients may use the following non-combustible forms:

• Tablets

• Capsules

• Tinctures (liquid extracts)

• Gels, oils, and creams (topical use)

• Suppositories

• Transdermal patches

• Nebulizers

• Liquids or oils for use in an inhaler

These forms align with Alabama’s strict, non-smoking regulatory framework.

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 Products NOT Allowed

The following are prohibited under Alabama law:

• Raw plant material (cannabis flower)

• Products that can be smoked or vaped

• Food products (cookies, candies, or traditional edibles)

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Insurance Coverage

Does insurance cover medical cannabis?
No.

• Health insurers are not required to cover medical cannabis.

• Because cannabis remains illegal at the federal level:

  • Private insurance

  • Medicare

  • Medicaid
    do not provide coverage

Patients should expect out-of-pocket costs for:

• Physician qualification visits

• Registry fees

• Medical cannabis products

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Dispensary Locations

• Not available at this time

• Locations will be announced by the AMCC once dispensaries are approved and operational.

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Qualifying Medical Conditions

Alabama law includes, but is not limited to:

• Autism

• Cancer-related weight loss or chronic pain

• Crohn’s disease

• Depression

• Epilepsy or seizure disorders

• HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss

• Panic disorder

• Parkinson’s disease

• Persistent nausea (not pregnancy-related)

• PTSD

• Sickle cell disease

• Spasticity associated with ALS, MS, or spinal cord injury

• Terminal illness

• Tourette’s syndrome

• Chronic pain where conventional therapies or opioids are ineffective or inappropriate

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Age Requirements

• Patients 19 or older with a qualifying condition may register.

• Minors may participate through a registered caregiver (parent or legal guardian).

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Legal Restrictions

Yes — it is illegal to:

• Possess, distribute, manufacture, or use medical cannabis outside what the law allows

• Divert cannabis from:

  • A registered patient or caregiver

  • A licensed cultivator, processor, transporter, dispensary, or testing laboratory

Violations remain subject to criminal penalties.