SB324 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

SB324 would require pregnancy testing for women of childbearing age before medical cannabis purchases, restrict purchases by breastfeeding and pregnant women, and impose strict distance rules on dispensaries from schools and colleges.

What This Bill Does

Requires every woman aged 25 to 50 to present a negative pregnancy test within 48 hours of purchasing medical cannabis, unless she is purchasing as a registered caregiver. Prohibits breast-feeding women from purchasing medical cannabis unless they are a registered caregiver, and prohibits pregnant patients from obtaining cannabis during pregnancy. Adds location rules requiring dispensing sites to be at least 1,000 feet away from schools, day care centers, and higher education campuses (2-year and 4-year schools). Maintains and expands existing dispensary rules, including training and certification for dispensers, checking the patient registry before dispensing, seed-to-sale tracking, and limits on the number and placement of dispensing sites.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Women aged 25-50 who use or could use medical cannabis; they must show a negative pregnancy test within 48 hours of purchase and may be restricted from purchasing if pregnant or breastfeeding, with registered caregivers exempt from some rules.
• Group 2: Dispensary operators, certified dispensers, and licensees; they must comply with location distance requirements, testing and labeling duties, training programs, and limits on the number of dispensing sites and where they may operate.

Key Provisions

• Age-based and pregnancy testing requirement: Every woman 25-50 must obtain a negative pregnancy test within 48 hours prior to purchasing medical cannabis, unless acting as a registered caregiver.
• Breastfeeding restriction: No breastfeeding woman may purchase cannabis unless she is a registered caregiver.
• Pregnancy reporting: A registered qualified patient who becomes pregnant must report to their physician and cannot obtain medical cannabis during the pregnancy.
• Dispensary location: Each dispensing site must be at least 1,000 feet from schools, day cares, child-care facilities, and from higher education campuses (2-year/4-year).
• Dispensary operations and licensing: The bill maintains a cap of up to four dispensary licenses and allows a licensee to operate up to three dispensing sites, with rules on where those sites can operate and when more sites may be added.
• Compliance requirements: Dispensaries must use certified dispensers, verify patient registry, maintain records, and participate in seed-to-sale tracking; testing and labeling requirements apply before sale.

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