HB315 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Medical Exemption Act, creating a medical marijuana identification card program administered by county health departments for qualified patients diagnosed with serious medical conditions by a physician.

• Defines qualifying serious medical conditions including AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, chronic pain, autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and 20+ other conditions; requires full medical evaluation and determination that marijuana would provide therapeutic or palliative relief.

• Issues 2-year identification cards after verification of physician credentials, medical records accuracy, and applicant information; establishes application fee of $100-$200 with 50% reduction for social services program participants.

• Protects cardholders from arrest for possession, use, cultivation, or transportation of medical marijuana; prohibits physician investigations or disciplinary action solely for recommending marijuana; prevents discrimination in employment and child custody proceedings based on qualified patient status.

• Amends Code of Alabama §13A-12-213 and §13A-12-214 to exempt possession of marijuana from criminal liability when person holds valid medical marijuana identification card, with exceptions for fraud or violations of program rules.