BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin voiced strong opposition to Alabama House Bill 445, urging Governor Kay Ivey to veto the legislation. Woodfin described the bill as “a step backwards and harmful to small businesses in Birmingham.”
“Instead of moving us closer to justice and equity, this bill risks dragging us back to an era of cannabis criminalization, overregulation, and lost opportunity,” Woodfin said. He highlighted Birmingham’s efforts in cannabis reform, noting the city’s Pardons for Progress initiative, which has pardoned over 15,000 residents with low-level marijuana convictions.
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Woodfin expressed concern that HB445 would “threaten that progress” by limiting access to legal hemp products and imposing excessive restrictions and punitive taxes on small businesses. “It locks out entrepreneurs, particularly Black and brown business owners who are often first to be policed and last to get licensed,” he said.
The bill, which is headed to Governor Ivey for her signature, would regulate the manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of consumable hemp products containing THC or CBD. It would place the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in charge of licensing and regulation, requiring local government approval for business licenses.
Supporters of the bill argue that regulations are necessary to protect Alabamians, especially children. However, proponents of the hemp industry believe the proposal could negatively impact businesses in the state.
Woodfin emphasized the need for smarter laws that “protect consumers, ensure safety, and grow our economy without resurrecting the failed policies of the past.”
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin voiced strong opposition to Alabama House Bill 445, urging Governor Kay Ivey to veto the legislation. Woodfin described the bil Read More
