HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – After years of legal battles medical cannabis is expected to become available to Alabama patients within the next two to three months.

State licenses for dispensaries are now popping up across Alabama, including in North Alabama.

One of the first five doctors authorized to recommend medical cannabis is Huntsville family physician Dr. Clinton Scott Williams, who has practiced in the community for more than 25 years.

Dr. Williams said he does not take his new certification lightly.

“Just like a wrench is a good tool but if it’s misused it can do damage,” Dr. Williams said.

He said he plans to recommend medical cannabis only to established patients who may benefit, and only after more conventional treatments have failed.

According to Dr. Williams, people from all over Alabama have already been calling and even visiting his office in person in hopes of getting access to medical cannabis.

However, he emphasized he will not rubber stamp recommendations for people he does not know.

He also hopes more physicians across the state will seek certification, so patients won’t have to travel long distances to find a provider.

“I’m hoping that more physicians will get certified in the near future so that patients living in other areas can have access to the medication without having to be so significantly inconvenienced and put so many miles on their car,” he said.

Dr. Williams explained that even with the new law, physicians in Alabama cannot write traditional prescriptions for medical cannabis. Instead, they can only recommend it, and the treatment will not be covered by insurance at this time.

Currently, 17 medical cannabis dispensaries are licensed in Alabama. Locations are planned in several communities, including Athens and Owens Crossroads in North Alabama.

Legalizing medical cannabis in Alabama has been a five-year process marked by legislative debate, rulemaking, and court challenges. As one of just five doctors currently certified, Dr. Williams said he is eager to offer patients an option he believes could be less addictive than some medications already in wide use.

“If it can get them off of habit-forming drugs like Xanax or Klonopin, or off of pain medications like fentanyl or oxycodone, I think it’s the lesser of two evils,” Dr. Williams said. “If we can get them relief of that suffering safely and effectively, then let’s do it. And let’s start doing it yesterday.”

Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news, sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel!

Copyright 2026 WAFF. All rights reserved.