DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – Alabama’s medical cannabis program is officially open for business — but for people in the Wiregrass, getting access isn’t as simple as driving down the street.

After nearly five years of legal battles and delays, the state’s first licensed dispensary, Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery, opened its doors Wednesday.

It marks a milestone for the 36th state to legalize medical cannabis — but patients in the Dothan area face a two-hour drive just to pick up their medication, and no certified doctors nearby to get them started.

How do you get a medical cannabis card in Alabama?

Before a patient can purchase anything, they must first be certified by a registered physician — and that process involves several steps.

Dr. Osemelu Aburime, a certifying physician at Elevate Vitality Clinic in Phenix City, breaks it down.

“First, you do need to be an Alabama resident,” Dr. Aburime said. “You need to have one of the 16 qualifying conditions. The top three we end up seeing are PTSD, depression, and chronic pain.”

Once a patient confirms they meet those requirements, they must visit the physician’s office in person. At Elevate Vitality Clinic, that includes a physical exam — blood pressure, heart rate, pulse ox — and a drug screen required by the state.

“I tell everyone that you can test positive for any medication you are currently on, including THC,” Dr. Aburime said. “We don’t penalize you for that.”

The physician then reviews the patient’s medical records and 24 months of prescription history through Alabama’s prescription drug monitoring program. If approved, the doctor submits a recommendation and walks the patient through registering on the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission’s online portal.

The state charges a $40 fee for a digital cannabis card.

Step-by-step: How to get your Alabama medical cannabis card

1. Confirm you are an Alabama resident
2. Get diagnosed with one of the 16 qualifying conditions by a certified physician
3. Complete an in-person exam and drug screen at the physician’s office
4. Physician submits your recommendation to the AMCC portal
5. Create your patient profile at the AMCC portal and pay the $40 fee
6. Receive your digital card and visit a licensed dispensary

Where can you go once you have a card?

Right now, there is only one place in Alabama where patients can fill their prescription: Callie’s Apothecary, located at 5232 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery.

For Wiregrass residents, that’s roughly a two-hour drive each way.

“I think there’s supposed to be at least nine sites total when it’s all said and done,” Dr. Aburime said. “But right now, it’s only one.”

The state has issued dispensary licenses in multiple counties, and more locations are expected to open in the coming months. For the latest list of licensed dispensaries, visit amcc.alabama.gov.

What can you actually buy?

Alabama’s law is one of the most restrictive medical cannabis programs in the country. Smoking, vaping, and whole-plant cannabis are all prohibited.

Currently available product forms include:

• Oils and tinctures
• Capsules and pills
• Patches
• Topical gels and creams

Dr. Aburime noted that Callie’s Apothecary currently has cuboids and tinctures available — including what he described as a peach-flavored option.

Supply is limited in the early days of the program. Patients should expect to spend $60 to $100 per visit, and insurance does not cover medical cannabis purchases.

No doctors in the Wiregrass — yet

One of the biggest barriers for local patients: there are currently no certified physicians in the Wiregrass area. As of June 3, 2026, the state lists 23 registered certifying physicians statewide — none of them in Houston County or the surrounding region.

The nearest certified physician to Dothan is Dr. Aburime in Phenix City, about an hour away. He says some patients are traveling much farther.

“I know people that are coming four hours to come see me,” he said. “Making sure that people don’t have to travel four or five hours to see a physician or get to a dispensary — I think making it more accessible to the patient is going to be the next step.”

To become certified, physicians must complete a multi-hour training course, maintain an active DEA license, and register with the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. Dr. Aburime said Alabama reached out to physicians in December to recruit some of the first certifiers.

“I love being able to interact with patients in different ways and to meet them where they are,” he said. “There’s a large number of patients that don’t necessarily want a traditional medication. They want something that is not an opiate.”

Dr. Aburime sees patients on weekdays and Saturdays at Elevate Vitality Clinic, 1206 Broad Street, Phenix City. He has already certified more than 20 patients and handles all scheduling personally.

Is it still illegal without a card?

Yes. Possessing cannabis in Alabama without a valid medical card remains a misdemeanor, carrying:

• Up to one year in jail
• A fine of up to $6,000
• A repeat offense carries a mandatory minimum of one year and one day in jail

In 2025, there were 8,505 arrests for cannabis possession in Alabama.

Alabama medical cannabis cards are only valid in Alabama. If you plan to travel, check the cannabis laws in the state you are visiting before bringing any product across state lines.

Patients call it a win — but say there’s more work to do

Despite the hurdles, Dr. Aburime says the reaction from patients has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s a lot of excitement — not just for me, but for these patients, because they have been waiting for so long,” he said. “For these patients, it could be a breath of fresh air, so they don’t have to be on opiates anymore.”

He already has more than 20 patients who have secured their cards and says the program is just getting started.

“A lot of patients don’t even know this is a thing,” he said. “Making sure that everyone knows they have these options — that’s the next step.”

Resources

• Full list of certified physicians: amcc.alabama.gov
• Patient registration portal: Available at amcc.alabama.gov
• Callie’s Apothecary (Montgomery): 5232 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109 | Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

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