Alabama Medical Examiner Warns Against Medical Cannabis ‘Pre-Approval’ Companies

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners is warning residents about businesses claiming they can help get people pre-registered for a state-approved medical cannabis card by having a physician complete a patient evaluation; however, the board has not yet authorized any doctors in the state to do so.

William Perkins, the executive director of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners, said that there is “no service” for patient pre-registration as the companies claim.

No physician has yet been authorized to evaluate patients for medical cannabis in Alabama, and no one in Alabama can be pre-registered for a medical cannabis card. Alabamians should be warned against engaging with any business that claims otherwise.”—Perkins, in a July 1 statement

Alabama lawmakers approved—and Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed—the medical cannabis reforms in May but the program is a long way from accepting patients. A provision of the law also requires physicians to specify daily dosages and product type; however, federal law prohibits doctors from prescribing medical cannabis—but not recommending—and the requirement could reduce doctor participation if not addressed.

Under the law, doctors who wish to certify patients for the program will have to complete a four-hour continuing education course on medical cannabis and pass an exam demonstrating their expertise before final approval by the Board of Medical Examiners. The law requires that the board develop the criteria for physician certifications to use medical cannabis by December 1.