Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is receiving a lot of public pressure over a bill that would regulate, tax, and restrict sales of consumable products like gummies and drinks containing the marijuana chemical THC that is derived from hemp.
The bill passed the legislature and is now awaiting her signature.
Ivey could sign the bill, HB445 sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest.
Or she could send it back to the House of Representatives with a veto or with proposed amendments.
Or the governor could take no action.
In that case, the bill will become law without her signature at the end of the day, House Clerk John Treadwell said.
Section 125 of the Alabama Constitution says, in part, “If any bill shall not be returned by the governor within six days, Sunday excepted, after it shall have been presented, the same shall become a law in like manner as if he had signed it.”
The Legislature passed the THC bill on May 6, and it was delivered to the governor on May 7.
The Alabama House and Senate convene at 1 p.m. Wednesday for the 30th and final day of the annual legislative session.
Read more: Alabama’s 2025 legislative session ends today: Ten Commandments in schools among bills that died
Whitt and other supporters of HB445 say it is a compromise measure that will provide needed regulations for products that are widely available in specialty shops selling products containing THC and CBD derived from hemp, as well as in convenience stores and online.
Retailers would have to obtain a license from the ABC Board to sell the products, with access limited to stores for people 21 and over and, for THC beverages, designated sections of grocery stores. Smokable products would be banned.
Shop owners say the regulations are an overreach that will put them out of business and deprive their customers of the products they depend on to relieve pain, anxiety, sleeplessness and other problems.
They have urged Ivey to veto the bill.
Others who support a veto say the state should ban the products instead of taxing, regulating, and restricting their sales.
The Alabama Policy Institute said the bill would effectively legalize recreational marijuana.
The Legislature could override a veto with votes by a majority of members of the House and Senate.
Or it could agree to executive amendments and return the revised bill to the governor for her signature.
As written now, the bill would take effect July 1, 2025, although some of the regulations within the bill would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The governor’s office has received a lot of public pressure to veto the bill to regulate products containing THC. Read More
