Alabama’s first state-licensed medical cannabis dispensary recorded more than 100 patient transactions during its opening week, commission officials said Saturday.
The soft launch tested point-of-sale systems, pharmacist consultations and inventory tracking mandated under the Medical Cannabis Commission rules.
Qualifying conditions include chronic pain, nausea related to cancer therapy and certain neurological disorders verified by participating physicians.
Operators described steady foot traffic from registered patients who previously traveled out of state or relied on unregulated products.
Regulators said additional dispensary licenses will roll out gradually after background checks and security inspections.
Public health advocates monitor whether legal access reduces emergency-room visits linked to contaminated illicit cannabis.
Pharmacists on duty Saturday said many first-time patients arrived with physician certifications but little guidance on dosing forms, prompting extended counseling sessions.
Tax officials projected that regulated sales could eventually offset enforcement costs tied to illicit cultivation in rural counties bordering Florida and Mississippi.
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