MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WBMA) — Governor Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 445 into law.
The bill is aimed at regulating the manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of consumable hemp products containing THC or CBD.
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Supporters of the bill said regulations were needed to protect Alabamians, especially children, however, those who support the hemp industry believed this specific proposal would negatively impact good businesses in the state.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin voiced strong opposition to HB445, urging Ivey to veto the legislation.
Woodfin described the bill as “a step backwards and harmful to small businesses in Birmingham.”
HB445 puts the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board in charge of licensing and regulation of hemp THC or CBD manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and retailers.
The legislation also:
establishes penalties for selling products to a minorrequires specific labeling and testing for productsprohibits the sale of any smokable hemp productsbans psychoactive cannabinoids created by chemical synthesis, modification, or chemical conversion of another cannabinoidimposes an excise tax of 10% on the retail sales price of consumable hemp productsdisperses revenue to the State General Fund and local governmentscreates the Consumable Hemp Product Compliance Fund with money from filing fees, annual license fees, and labeling approval fees to provide for the Board’s administration and enforcement costsprovides penalties for selling products without a license or selling to underage customersauthorizes the Board to seize unlawful hemp products without a warrantrepeals the state law allowing the sale of psychoactive cannabinoids to adultsprevents the sale of products for on-premises consumptionprevents the sale of hemp products through a vending machine or other self-service display and payment system Governor Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 445 into law.The bill is aimed at regulating the manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of consumable h Read More
