Alabama Administrative Code
Title 540 - ALABAMA BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS
Chapter 540-X-25 - PHYSICIAN RECOMMENDATION OF THE USE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS
Section 540-X-25-.01 - Preamble

This Chapter implements the provisions of the Darren Wesley "A to" Hall Compassion Act (Act 2021-450; Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 20-2A-1, et. seq.) relating to the physician recommendation of medical cannabis. This Chapter shall establish the eligibility requirements and process for a licensed physician to qualify as a registered certifying physician. This Chapter will also establish the requirements for a registered certifying physician to issue a physician certification for a patient to use medical cannabis. Nothing in this Chapter shall overrule, modify, or replace the Board's regulations on prescribing controlled substances and standards for pain management services, as these regulations also apply to a physician's recommendation of medical cannabis. In particular, physicians should exercise diligence in utilizing the Board's Risk and Abuse Mitigation Strategies contained in Ala. Admin. Code r. 540-X-4-.09. Even though a physician's recommendation or certification of a patient's use of medical cannabis is not a prescription, given the same risks for abuse and diversion, the Board expects the same standard of care and discretion to be observed by physicians as would be for any other treatment utilizing controlled substances.

Author: Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-24-53, 34-24-53.1; Act 2021-450, (Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 20-2A-1, et. seq.).