§ 20-2A-32 — Registered Certifying Physician - Prohibited Conduct

A registered certifying physician may not do any of the following:
(1) Except for the limited purpose of performing a medical cannabis-related study, accept, solicit, or offer any form of remuneration from or to a qualified patient, designated caregiver, or any licensee, including a principal officer, board member, agent, or employee of the licensee, to certify a patient, other than accepting payment from a patient for the fee associated with the examination, medical consultation, or other treatment, including, but not limited to, any third party reimbursement for the same.
(2) Accept, solicit, or offer any form of remuneration from or to a dispensary for the purpose of referring a patient to a specific dispensary.
(3) Offer a discount of any other item of value to a qualified patient who uses or agrees to designate a specific caregiver or use a specific dispensary to obtain medical cannabis.
(4) Hold a direct or indirect economic interest in a licensee.
(5) Serve on the board of directors or as an employee of a licensee.
(6) Refer qualified patients to a specific caregiver or a specific dispensary.
(7) Advertise in a dispensary.
(8) Advertise on the physician’s website, brochures, or any other media that generally describe the scope of practice of the physician, any statement that refers to the physician as a “medical cannabis” or “medical marijuana” physician or doctor, or otherwise advertises his or her status as a registered certifying physician, other than the following: “Dr. _______ is qualified by the State of Alabama to certify patients for medical cannabis use under the Alabama Compassion Act.”

Legislative History

(Act 2021-450, §1.)