CITY
COUNTY
COUNTY
City Ordinances
Stay informed about the changing attitudes and policies towards cannabis in urban communities as Alabama cities embrace progressive reforms. Explore the list of cities with medical cannabis dispensary ordinances and decriminalization efforts to stay updated on the evolving landscape of cannabis regulations.
Decriminalization:
Medical Cannabis:
Cities with Dispensary Ordinances
- Alexander City
- Ashland City
- Athens City
- Attalla City
- Bayou La Batre City
- Bessemer City
- Birmingham City
- Center Point City
- Coosada City
- Cowarts City
- Cullman City
- Daphne City
- Decatur City
- Demopolis City
- Dothan City
- Enterprise City
- Fairfield City
- Florence City
- Foley City
- Gadsden City
- Glencoe City
- Good Hope City
- Greenville City
- Henagar City
- Huntsville City - (Huntsville Proposed Zoning Ordinance) - (Huntsville Facilities Zoning Letter Application Form)
- Ider City
- Jasper City
- Killen City
- Loxley City
- Magnolia Springs City
- Malvern City
- Midfield City
- Mobile City
- Monroeville City
- Montgomery City
- Northport City
- Opelika City
- Owens Cross Roads City
- Oxford City
- Phenix City
- Priceville City
- Riverside City
- Robertsdale City
- Russellville City
- Scottsboro City
- Selma City
- Semmes City
- Spanish Fort City
- Sylvania City
- Thomasville City
- Troy City
- Tuscaloosa City
- Tuscumbia City
- Union Springs City
- Vernon City
COUNTY
COUNTY
COUNTY
County Ordinances
Explore Alabama's county-level cannabis ordinances and programs, and witness the transformative impact of local reforms.
Decriminalization:
Medical Cannabis:
STATE
COUNTY
STATE
State Legislation
Stay informed about the ever-changing landscape of cannabis legislation in Alabama. Explore a comprehensive collection of proposed and passed bills from previous legislative sessions, showcasing the progression towards a more inclusive and forward-thinking cannabis industry in the state.
July 2022 - Council passes new penalty for marijuana misdemeanors
The Tuscaloosa City Council implemented a policy that would allow individuals charged with possessing small amounts of marijuana to receive a citation instead of being arrested. This new approach aims to reduce the burden on law enforcement resources and offer a more lenient response to low-level marijuana offenses. The policy change reflects a shift towards a more progressive stance on marijuana enforcement in the city, emphasizing alternative measures instead of immediate arrests for minor offenses.
April 2021 - Blanket Pardon
In April 2021, Birmingham, Alabama announced plans to pardon approximately 15,000 individuals with misdemeanor marijuana convictions. The initiative aimed to rectify the unfairness and racial disparities prevalent in the criminal justice system by providing relief to those affected by past marijuana-related convictions. By pardoning these individuals, Birmingham sought to remove the barriers posed by their criminal records, such as difficulty finding employment and housing. The move was seen as a significant step towards criminal justice reform and a recognition of the changing attitudes towards marijuana. It represented an effort by the city to promote equity, fairness, and a fresh start for those impacted by outdated drug laws.
November 2019 - Pardons for Progress
Pardons for Progress is a strategic initiative through the Mayor’s Office to allow individuals previously convicted of a misdemeanor marijuana possession in the City of Birmingham Municipal Court to apply for a pardon. Mayor Randall L.Woodfin created the initiative to remove a potential barrier to employment for an individual who has a previous misdemeanor marijuana possession conviction.
Section 12-14-15, Code of Alabama, 1975
The Mayor may remit fines and such costs as are payable to the municipality and commute sentences imposed by a municipal court or the court to which an appeal was taken for violations of municipal ordinances and may grant pardons, after conviction, for violation of such ordinances, and he shall report his action to the council or other governing body at the first regular meeting thereof in the succeeding month with his reasons therefor in writing.
city Resolutions and Ordinances for medical cannabis
Locality Resolutions and Ordinances
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has received ordinances or resolutions from the following local jurisdictions listed below. The Commission, however, does not provide any opinion or advice regarding the compliance of any specific ordinance or resolution with the requirements of Alabama law, including Ala. Code § 20-2A-51.
§20-2A-51: Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the commission shall not permit a dispensary to operate a dispensing site in any municipality or unincorporated area of a county unless the municipality or county has authorized the operation of dispensing sites within its boundaries, as provided in subdivision (2).
Any county commission, by resolution, may authorize the operation of dispensing sites in the unincorporated areas of the county, and the governing body of any municipality, by ordinance, may authorize the operation of dispensing sites within the corporate limits of the municipality. The county commission or municipal governing body shall notify the commission not more than seven calendar days after adopting the resolution or ordinance.
This subsection does not prohibit a municipality from adopting zoning ordinances restricting the operation of dispensing sites within its corporate limits.
Resolutions/Ordinances Received by the Commission:
- Alexander City
- Ashland City
- Athens City
- Attalla City
- Bayou La Batre City
- Bessemer City
- Birmingham City
- Center Point City
- Coosada City
- Cowarts City
- Cullman City
- Daphne City
- Decatur City
- Demopolis City
- Dothan City
- Enterprise City
- Fairfield City
- Florence City
- Foley City
- Gadsden City
- Glencoe City
- Good Hope City
- Greenville City
- Henagar City
- Huntsville City - (Huntsville Proposed Zoning Ordinance) - (Huntsville Facilities Zoning Letter Application Form)
- Ider City
- Jasper City
- Killen City
- Loxley City
- Magnolia Springs City
- Malvern City
- Midfield City
- Mobile City
- Monroeville City
- Montgomery City
- Northport City
- Opelika City
- Owens Cross Roads City
- Oxford City
- Phenix City
- Priceville City
- Riverside City
- Robertsdale City
- Russellville City
- Scottsboro City
- Selma City
- Semmes City
- Spanish Fort City
- Sylvania City
- Thomasville City
- Troy City
- Tuscaloosa City
- Tuscumbia City
- Union Springs City
- Vernon City
April 2019 - Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to issue tickets for misdemeanor marijuana possession
Deputies in Jefferson County, Alabama now issue citations instead of making arrests for individuals found with small amounts of marijuana, according to Captain David Agee of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. This change aims to save jail space and resources while enabling law enforcement to focus on more serious offenses. Sheriff Mark Pettway, who supported reducing arrests for minor marijuana possession during his campaign, advocated for this shift in approach.
county Resolutions and Ordinances for medical cannabis
County Resolutions and Ordinances
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has received ordinances or resolutions from the following counties listed below. The Commission, however, does not provide any opinion or advice regarding the compliance of any specific ordinance or resolution with the requirements of Alabama law, including Ala. Code § 20-2A-51.
§20-2A-51: Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the commission shall not permit a dispensary to operate a dispensing site in any municipality or unincorporated area of a county unless the municipality or county has authorized the operation of dispensing sites within its boundaries, as provided in subdivision (2).
Any county commission, by resolution, may authorize the operation of dispensing sites in the unincorporated areas of the county, and the governing body of any municipality, by ordinance, may authorize the operation of dispensing sites within the corporate limits of the municipality. The county commission or municipal governing body shall notify the commission not more than seven calendar days after adopting the resolution or ordinance.
This subsection does not prohibit a municipality from adopting zoning ordinances restricting the operation of dispensing sites within its corporate limits.
Resolutions/Ordinances Received by the Commission:
State Marijuana BIll History
SB141 - 2023 Regular Session
Sponsor: Coleman-Madison
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Section 26-15-3.2 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for chemical endangerment of a child; to require a confirmatory positive drug test before an agency or law enforcement initiates any action for a violation; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
SB42 - 2023 Regular Session
Sponsor: Singleton
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Sections 13A-12-213 and 13A-12-214, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the crimes of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first and second degrees; to revise the criminal penalties; to provide for expungement of a charge, finding, or conviction, under certain conditions; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
Bill Links:
HB407 - 2022 Regular Session
Sponsor: Grimsley
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin, Expired
Title: Crimes and offenses, to eliminate the crime of possession of marijuana in the first degree if the individual has previous conviction for marijuana in the second degree, provide for jurisdiction in the district court for subsequent possession
Bill Links:
SB160 - 2022 Regular Session
Sponsor: Singleton
Current Status: Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin
Title: Crimes and offenses, unlawful possession of marijuana, crime revised-
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
HB490 - 2021 Regular Session
Sponsor: Grimsley
Current Status: Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin
Title: Crimes and offenses, to eliminate the crime of possession of marijuana in the first degree if the individual has previous conviction for marijuana in the second degree
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
SB46 - 2021 Regular Session
Sponsor: Melson (R)
Current Status: Enacted
Title: Medical Cannabis, program established to allow use of for certain conditions, defense against prosecution for marijuana possession established-
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
View Act:
SB267 - 2020 Regular Session
Sponsor: Singleton
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Title: Crimes and offenses, unlawful possession of marijuana, crime revised-
Bill Links:
SB165 - 2020 Regular Session
Sponsor: Melson
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in Second House
Title: Medical Marijuana, program established to allow use of for certain conditions, defense against prosecution for marijuana possession established-
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
SB236 - 2019 Regular Session
Sponsor: Melson
Current Status: Enacted
Title: Medical marijuana, program established to allow use of for certain conditions, defense against prosecution for marijuana possession established-
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
View Act:
HB243 - Regular Session 2019
Sponsor: Ball
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Title: Medical marijuana, program established to allow use of for certain conditions, defense against prosecution for marijuana possession established
Bill Links:
SB98 - Regular Session 2019
Current Status: Read Second Time in House of Origin
Title: Marijuana, possession of, penalties revised, quantities included, possession of marijuana in third degree created-
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
HB96 - Regular Session 2019
Sponsor: Hall
Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Title: Crimes and offenses, marijuana, possession of, unlawful possession in first and second degree further provided, possession of marijuana in third degree created
Fiscal Note:
Bill Links:
Decriminalization
SB42
Reduces penalties for simple possession of cannabis & expungements.
Full text: Senate Bill 42
This bill revises the criminal code of Alabama to reconstitute possession of cannabis, as a first offense, a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200. Currently, possession of any amount of cannabis in the state of Alabama is a felony, punishable by incarceration. The bill also includes provisions for expungement of charges, findings, or convictions related to marijuana possession under specific conditions. Notably, the bill does not require local approval or a 2/3 vote to take effect, as it falls under specified exceptions.
Sponsor: Sen. Bobby Singleton (D)
Read: 3/7/23
Current Status:Session Ended
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Sections 13A-12-213 and 13A-12-214, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the crimes of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first and second degrees; to revise the criminal penalties; to provide for expungement of a charge, finding, or conviction, under certain conditions; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
SB141
Reclassifies child exposure to cannabis.
Full Text: Senate Bill 141
This bill seeks to amend the existing law regarding the chemical endangerment of a child in Alabama. Currently, exposing a child to a controlled substance, chemical substance, or drug paraphernalia is a Class C felony. The proposed bill aims to reclassify the offense of exposing a child to marijuana or drug paraphernalia as a Class A misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill requires a confirmatory positive drug test before any agency or law enforcement takes action against a violation. This bill acknowledges that it may require an increased expenditure of local funds but falls under specified exceptions, allowing it to become effective without approval from local government entities or a 2/3 vote.
Sponsor: Coleman-Madison, Singleton, Beasley, Stewart,Coleman
Read: 3/23/23
Current Status: Session Ended
Title: Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Section 26-15-3.2 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for chemical endangerment of a child; to require a confirmatory positive drug test before an agency or law enforcement initiates any action for a violation; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022
MEdical
HB469
15% sales tax on medical cannabis, Cullman County.
Full text: House Bill 469
Alabama House Bill 469 proposes a constitutional amendment to impose a 15 percent sales tax on the retail sales of legally sold medical cannabis products in Cullman County. The tax revenue would be distributed, with 67 percent allocated to the District Attorney of the Thirty-second Judicial Circuit for personnel purposes and 33 percent to the Cullman County Legislative Delegation for mental health issues. The bill outlines the administration and enforcement of the tax, including the collection methods and definitions of medical cannabis products.
Sponsor: Harbison, Wadsworth, Shedd
Read: 5/11/23
Current Status: ENACTED
Title: This bill would propose an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, relating to Cullman County, to levy a 15 percent sales tax on the sales of lawfully sold medical cannabis products and would provide for its distribution.
HB227
Stricter regulations proposed for medical cannabis access.
Full Text: House Bill 227
Alabama House Bill 227 aims to make access to medical cannabis more difficult by increasing the requirements for qualifying conditions. The bill expands the prohibition on individuals with economic interests in a licensee and establishes a time period for the prohibition. It also defines a registered certifying physician and mandates that they can only certify patients for medical cannabis use if they are board certified in the required specialty. The bill prohibits non-registered certifying physicians from having financial arrangements with registered certifying physicians for patient referrals. Additionally, it states that an individual cannot qualify as a registered caregiver if they are also a qualified registered patient. The bill includes provisions for location restrictions and dispensing protocols for dispensaries. It also criminalizes the sale of medical cannabis cards. Overall, the bill imposes stricter regulations on medical cannabis use in Alabama.
Sponsor: Cole
Read: 4/4/23
Current Status: Session Ended
Title: Relating to medical cannabis; to amend Sections 20-2A-3, 20-2A-8, 20-2A-21, 20-2A-32, 20-2A-36, and 20-2A-64, Code of Alabama 1975, to further provide for the conditions that are considered a qualifying medical condition; to further restrict individuals from having an economic interest in a licensee and to establish a time period for the prohibition; to further provide for the definition of a registered certifying physician and provide that a registered certifying physician may only certify a patient for medical cannabis use if he or she is board certified in the field of specialty required to diagnose a qualifying medical condition as provided by law; to prohibit a non-registered certifying physician from having a financial arrangement with a registered certifying physician for patient referrals; to provide that an individual cannot qualify as a registered caregiver if he or she is also a qualified registered patient; to further provide for location restrictions and dispensing protocols for a dispensary; to make it a crime for an individual to sell a medical cannabis card; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
HEMP
SB66
Prohibits sale of hemp psychoactive cannabinoids to minors & 5% retail tax on adult use.
Full text: Senate Bill 66
Alabama Senate Bill SB66 prohibits the sale, distribution, marketing, and possession of psychoactive cannabinoids derived from or found in hemp to individuals under 21 years of age. The bill defines psychoactive cannabinoids and establishes penalties for violations, including fines and community service. It also requires that psychoactive cannabinoids sold in the state be packaged in child-resistant containers. Also a five percent tax on the gross proceeds of products containing psychoactive cannabinoids sold at retail.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Melson (R)
Read: 3/21/23
Current Status: ENACTED
Title: Relating to cannabis; to prohibit the sale, distribution, marketing, or possession of psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp for certain age groups; to levy a five percent tax on the gross proceeds of products containing psychoactive cannabinoids sold at retail; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.
HB219
Prohibits sale of hemp psychoactive cannabinoids to minors & 5% retail tax on adult use.
Full Text: House Bill 219
Alabama House Bill 219 aims to regulate the sale, distribution, marketing, and possession of psychoactive cannabinoids derived from or found in hemp to individuals under 21 years of age. The bill prohibits such activities and establishes them as a Class B misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill imposes a five percent tax on the gross proceeds of retail sales of products containing psychoactive cannabinoids, excluding medical cannabis regulated under Chapter 2A of Title 20, Code of Alabama 1975.
Sponsor: Bedsole, Drummond, Sells, Ingram, Paschal, Kiel
Read: 3/23/23
Current Status: Session Ended
Title: Relating to cannabis; to prohibit the sale, distribution, marketing, or possession of psychoactive cannabinoids found in hemp for certain age groups; to levy a five percent tax on the gross proceeds of products containing psychoactive cannabinoids sold at retail; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.