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A new Alabama law regulating and prohibiting certain THC and hemp products is set to take effect in July, and local businesses will have to alter how they sell these products.
John Staggs, who works at The Green Lady dispensary, said he overcame addiction through the use of hemp and THC products. He now dedicates his time to helping others do the same. However, since Gov. Kay Ivey signed H.B. 445 into law, he said he’s concerned about the impact it could have on Alabama.
The bill introduces regulations on packaging, sales, licensing, testing, and usage of THC hemp products statewide. Repeat offenders caught selling unregulated products could face fines or be charged with a Class C felony. Staggs believes the law will hurt more than it helps.
“They’re taking this medicine away from people that otherwise can’t get it,” Staggs said. “It’s going to drive people back to the black markets and out-of-state markets, which is going to take hundreds of millions of dollars annually of taxable revenue from the state.”
This is not a complete ban on THC and hemp products, so people will still be able to purchase them in Alabama, and in a phone interview, State Rep. Andy Whitt of District 6 (Harvest), who sponsored House Bill 445, he stressed this. Whitt said the driving force behind the legislation is protecting children across the state. He does not believe the new law will drive consumers back to substance abuse or unregulated marijuana products and he hopes to see positive change in the state.
Businesses will have to be licensed through the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board to sell THC and hemp products under regulated conditions. These products will need to go through third party testing to be allowed on store shelves. Smokable products are now banned, and ingestible products such as gummies will be capped at 10 milligrams per serving and 40 milligrams per container.
Staggs said he supports regulation and testing but criticized how the state has approached the issue, calling the measures extreme.
“There’s currently not any manufacturers that are fulfilling these kinds of needs — the individually wrapped, the milligram caps,” he said. “And then it’s going to make it financially impossible for some of the smaller companies to remain open.”
Whitt acknowledged that the law may force some businesses to adapt.
“This bill may cause some change in businesses, but they will be able to shift gears, focus on safe and legal products, and continue to serve their communities.,” Whitt said.
He also emphasized the importance of removing unregulated items from places like gas stations.
“As I have said before, the devil doesn’t always have horns; sometimes it is cherry flavored and is by the Slim Jim’s,” he said.
Staggs said his team is working with suppliers to meet the law’s new packaging and dosage requirements, but with the law taking effect July 1, time is running out.
According to Whitt, child safety remains the top priority. Any store selling THC or hemp products must be restricted to customers 21 and older — except for large grocery stores that may sell THC-infused drinks and pharmacies that can obtain licenses to sell specific THC topicals.
Click HERE to read the full bill.
”}]] The bill introduces regulations on packaging, sales, licensing, testing, and usage of THC hemp products statewide. Repeat offenders caught selling unregulated products could face fines or be charged with a Read More
