SB278 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry StuttsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Cannabis, women of childbearing age, certain requirements established for medical cannabis use, Sec. 20-2A-64 am'd.

Summary

SB278 would require pregnancy testing for women of childbearing age before medical cannabis purchases, restrict purchase by breastfeeding women, and add location and safety rules for dispensaries.

What This Bill Does

It requires negative pregnancy tests for women aged 25-50 before buying medical cannabis (test valid within 48 hours) unless purchasing as a registered caregiver. It bans breastfeeding women from purchasing cannabis unless they are a registered caregiver. It imposes a 1,000-foot buffer between dispensing sites and schools, day cares, and higher‑education institutions, and adds security, testing, labeling, and statewide seed-to-sale tracking requirements. It also sets rules for dispensers, patient verification, and pregnancy reporting, including limits and licensing provisions.

Who It Affects

• Women aged 25-50 who use medical cannabis would need a negative pregnancy test within 48 hours of purchase and could be restricted from purchasing during pregnancy; breastfeeding women would be limited to registered caregiver status when obtaining cannabis.
• Registered caregivers of patients would be allowed to purchase and administer medical cannabis for those patients.
• Dispensaries and their employees would need to meet location, security, testing, labeling, and training requirements, and only certified dispensers may dispense medical cannabis.
• Schools, day care centers, and higher education institutions would be protected by a required 1,000-foot distance from dispensaries.

Key Provisions

• Require every woman aged 25-50 to obtain a negative pregnancy test dated within 48 hours of purchase before she may buy medical cannabis, unless she is purchasing as a registered caregiver.
• No breast-feeding woman may purchase medical cannabis unless she is a registered caregiver.
• Dispensing sites must be located at least 1,000 feet from any school, day care, or higher education institution.
• Dispensaries must have surveillance cameras, test cannabis before sale, and use the statewide seed-to-sale tracking system; only certified dispensers may dispense.
• Pregnant patients must report pregnancy status to their certifying physician and be prohibited from obtaining medical cannabis during pregnancy.
• The commission will establish a training program for dispensers and certify trained dispensers; implement patient registry checks and require documentation of purchases and dosages.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Cannabis