Cannabis business owners say new law will cripple the industry in Alabama
We know there will soon be big changes to Alabama’s cannabis industry after lawmakers passed House Bill 445 last month. But when that happens, and what that will look like, is still a little blurry. Even reading the bill, it’s not clear when authorities will begin enforcing the new law. There are so many questions and rumors swirling in the industry. The one thing everyone can agree on is that big changes are coming.Ben Richards, the owner of Avondale Apothecary, isn’t sure how this new law will impact his store, but he knows that whenever it goes into effect, his shop will look much different.>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13Richards said, “We’re going to have to get rid of all smokables. We’ll have to get rid of all vapes, all concentrates. That’s about 90 percent of the market of what consumers want.”Supporters of Alabama’s growing cannabis industry say this new law will undo all the strides made since the 2018 Alabama Farm Bill passed. H. Marty Schelper is the founder of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition.She said, “House Bill 445 completely destroyed a free-market hemp industry in the state of Alabama that was functioning very, very well under the guise, we must protect the children.”>> IMPORTANT ISSUES: WVTM 13 InvestigatesRichards feels like many cannabis stores will be forced to close.He added, “The way that model looks, nobody can stay in business. Nobody’s going to be able to pay for staff, pay for all the equipment you need, and rent a single server, gummies and single-serving drinks. I mean, with no consumption. It’s, it really handcuffs. The whole hemp industry.”The founder of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition fears those who depend on cannabis products for medical reasons will be left suffering because Alabama’s medical cannabis industry is still bogged down in lawsuits and not up and running four years after lawmakers approved it.Schelper added, “I really don’t know, you know, what’s going to happen to the citizens here in the state other than turning them to the street and back to the black market.”>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for freeWe’re still waiting to hear from the ABC Board to clear up some of the confusion, especially on when enforcement of the new law will begin. We received a statement from state Rep. Andy Whitt, who sponsored the bill.He said, “With HB445, ABC is diligently working to release clear guidelines. The fact is — we are committed to cleaning up this industry, shutting down the products that are only used for intoxicating purposes, and protecting the children of our state.”Those who support this industry say HB445 hurts the industry but is a huge win for big pharma, the alcoholic beverage industry and illegal drug dealers.
We know there will soon be big changes to Alabama’s cannabis industry after lawmakers passed House Bill 445 last month. But when that happens, and what that will look like, is still a little blurry. Even reading the bill, it’s not clear when authorities will begin enforcing the new law. There are so many questions and rumors swirling in the industry. The one thing everyone can agree on is that big changes are coming.
Ben Richards, the owner of Avondale Apothecary, isn’t sure how this new law will impact his store, but he knows that whenever it goes into effect, his shop will look much different.
>> YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Community coverage from WVTM 13
Richards said, “We’re going to have to get rid of all smokables. We’ll have to get rid of all vapes, all concentrates. That’s about 90 percent of the market of what consumers want.”
Supporters of Alabama’s growing cannabis industry say this new law will undo all the strides made since the 2018 Alabama Farm Bill passed. H. Marty Schelper is the founder of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition.
She said, “House Bill 445 completely destroyed a free-market hemp industry in the state of Alabama that was functioning very, very well under the guise, we must protect the children.”
>> IMPORTANT ISSUES: WVTM 13 Investigates
Richards feels like many cannabis stores will be forced to close.
He added, “The way that model looks, nobody can stay in business. Nobody’s going to be able to pay for staff, pay for all the equipment you need, and rent a single server, gummies and single-serving drinks. I mean, with no consumption. It’s, it really handcuffs. The whole hemp industry.”
The founder of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition fears those who depend on cannabis products for medical reasons will be left suffering because Alabama’s medical cannabis industry is still bogged down in lawsuits and not up and running four years after lawmakers approved it.
Schelper added, “I really don’t know, you know, what’s going to happen to the citizens here in the state other than turning them to the street and back to the black market.”
>> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free
We’re still waiting to hear from the ABC Board to clear up some of the confusion, especially on when enforcement of the new law will begin. We received a statement from state Rep. Andy Whitt, who sponsored the bill.
He said, “With HB445, ABC is diligently working to release clear guidelines. The fact is — we are committed to cleaning up this industry, shutting down the products that are only used for intoxicating purposes, and protecting the children of our state.”
Those who support this industry say HB445 hurts the industry but is a huge win for big pharma, the alcoholic beverage industry and illegal drug dealers.
