To get a marijuana (medical cannabis) card in Birmingham, Alabama, you’ll follow the state process through a certified physician and the state registry:

1. Confirm you qualify: You must be an Alabama resident, 19+ (or have a registered caregiver/guardian), and have a qualifying medical condition.
2. Book an in-person visit with a certified medical cannabis doctor (a physician approved to recommend medical cannabis under Alabama rules).
3. Get evaluated and recommended: If the doctor approves you, they enter your recommendation into the state patient registry.
4. Complete your patient registration in the AMCC portal to finish your application for your medical cannabis card.

In Alabama, insurance typically does not cover the cost of a medical cannabis card or the medical marijuana doctor evaluation. Most certifications are self-pay/out-of-pocket.

This is largely because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, so most insurance providers won’t cover cannabis-related certifications or products. Also, medical cannabis isn’t treated like an FDA-approved prescription medication under normal insurance billing, and Alabama’s medical cannabis program is generally structured as a cash-pay service.

Yes – A qualified patient under 19 must have a registered caregiver who is their parent or legal guardian.

A qualified patient age 19 or older may choose a registered caregiver such as a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, spouse, or an individual who holds a valid healthcare power of attorney for the patient.