Summaries of All Hemp, Cannabis Bills in the Current AL Legislative Session

With only three legislative days remaining in the 2025 regular session, interest in those bills which have not yet received a final vote has increased dramatically. That has led to some confusion, especially among those Alabamians who don’t follow the intricacies of Goat Hill as avidly as do readers of ALPolitics.com. Even among our more politically astute citizens, the number, size and complexity of all the bills involved in a single issue can be daunting.

To address this highly complex, emotionally charged issue, ALPolitics.com provides this summary of all the bills currently before the Alabama Legislature involving hemp, cannabinoid products and medical cannabis.

A search of ALISON—the Alabama Legislative Information System Online—done Friday, May 2 yielded five bills for “hemp” and one bill for “cannabis.” All are summarized below, with SB72 (the sole cannabis bill) being summarized last.

It is the hope of ALpolitics.com that these summaries are useful in the days to come.

Alabama House Bill 445 (HB445), sponsored by Representative Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), proposes a comprehensive regulatory framework for consumable hemp products, aiming to establish standards for product safety, limit access to minors, and authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board to oversee the industry. The bill addresses concerns about unregulated psychoactive hemp products by instituting strict controls on sales, labeling, and testing.

Key Provisions of HB445

• ABC Board Oversight:
  The bill authorizes the ABC Board to regulate, license, and enforce laws related to the manufacture, distribution, and sale of consumable hemp products.
  It grants the Board the power to adopt rules, inspect premises, revoke licenses, and seize noncompliant products.
• Licensing Requirements:
  Manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers must obtain licenses from the ABC Board.
  Retail licenses are limited to businesses that either:
  – Are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption; or
  – Restrict individuals under 21 from entering.
• Age and Packaging Restrictions:
  Sales of consumable hemp products are restricted to individuals 21 years and older.
  Products must be packaged to prevent appeal to minors and include warning labels.
• Testing and Labeling Requirements:
  All products must be tested by ISO/IEC 17025-certified labs for contaminants and cannabinoid content.
  Each product must display a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and a scannable QR code linked to testing data.
• Product Limitations:
  The bill prohibits the sale of inhalable hemp products (such as vapes and smokables).
  It also limits consumable hemp products to no more than 5 mg of THC per serving.
• Excise Tax and Compliance Fund:
  An excise tax is levied on all consumable hemp products, the amount to be determined by the ABC Board.
  Proceeds will fund a newly established “Consumable Hemp Product Compliance Fund” to support enforcement and regulation.
• Penalties and Enforcement:
  Violations of the act may result in civil penalties, license suspension or revocation, and seizure of products.
  The bill also repeals Section 13A-12-214.4, which currently governs sales of psychoactive cannabinoids.

Legislative Status

HB445 was introduced on March 18, 2025, and passed the Alabama House of Representatives on April 10, 2025, by a vote of 81–14. It received a favorable report from the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee on April 15th, and now awaits action by the full Senate.

Support and Opposition

Supporters' Perspective:

• Public Health and Safety:
  Supporters—including law enforcement and public health officials—argue that the bill is necessary to regulate intoxicating hemp products and ensure safe consumption through testing and labeling.

Opponents' Perspective:

• Industry Concerns:
  Critics, including hemp retailers and manufacturers, argue the bill is overly restrictive, potentially harming small businesses and limiting consumer access to legal products. They also oppose the ban on inhalable hemp, which makes up a significant portion of sales for many operators.

Alabama Senate Bill 132 (SB132), introduced by Senator Tim Melson (R-Florence) on February 6, 2025, seeks to amend the state's controlled substances law to classify certain psychoactive hemp-derived cannabinoids—specifically Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC—as Schedule I controlled substances. This reclassification would place these substances in the same category as heroin and LSD, effectively criminalizing their possession, sale, and distribution within the state.

Key Provisions of SB132

• Reclassification of Psychoactive Cannabinoids: The bill proposes that only non-psychoactive cannabinoids derived from or found in hemp remain exempt from the Schedule I controlled substances list. Consequently, psychoactive cannabinoids such as Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC would be added to this list, making their handling illegal under state law.
• Repeal of Minor Access Provision: SB132 also seeks to repeal the existing provision that prohibits the sale of psychoactive cannabinoids to minors. This change implies a shift from regulating age-restricted sales to an outright ban on these substances.

Legislative Status

SB132 has been read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Healthcare on February 6th.

Support and Opposition

Supporters' Perspective:

• Public Health and Safety: Proponents argue that the unregulated sale of psychoactive hemp products poses health risks due to variations in purity and concentration. They contend that classifying these substances as Schedule I drugs will help mitigate potential abuse and protect public health. 

Opponents' Perspective:

• Economic Impact: Critics assert that the bill would negatively affect small businesses and farmers involved in the hemp industry, potentially leading to job losses and economic downturns in sectors reliant on hemp-derived products.
• Consumer Access: Opponents also highlight that many consumers use these products for therapeutic purposes, such as pain relief and anxiety management. They argue that an outright ban would remove accessible alternatives for individuals seeking relief. 
• Regulation vs. Prohibition: Some suggest that a regulatory approach—implementing age restrictions, product testing, and labeling requirements—would be more effective than prohibition in ensuring product safety and preventing misuse. 

Alabama Senate Bill 237 (SB237), introduced by Senator Tim Melson (R-Florence), proposes a regulatory framework for psychoactive hemp-derived products, including beverages, in the state. The bill aims to address public health concerns and establish oversight mechanisms for these products.

Key Provisions of SB237

• Licensing and Oversight: The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board would be authorized to license manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of hemp beverages and psychoactive hemp products. This includes setting fees and requirements for licensure. 
• Product Definitions: The bill defines "hemp beverages" as beverages containing hemp derivatives and "psychoactive hemp products" as consumable products containing psychoactive cannabinoids derived from hemp, excluding beverages.
• Testing and Labeling Requirements: All hemp beverages and psychoactive hemp products would be subject to labeling and testing requirements to ensure safety and compliance.
• Age Restrictions: Sales of hemp-derived products would be prohibited to individuals under 21 years of age.
• Excise Tax: A 10% excise tax would be levied on the retail sales price of hemp beverages and psychoactive hemp products, in addition to any existing state or local sales taxes.
• Prohibition of Smokable Hemp Products: The bill would prohibit the possession and sale of smokable hemp products in the state, with associated criminal penalties. 
• Advertising Restrictions: The bill would establish restrictions on the advertising of psychoactive hemp products to prevent targeting individuals under 21 years of age.

Legislative Status

SB237 passed the Senate Healthcare Committee and was sent to the full Senate on April 9th.

Support and Opposition

Supporters' Perspective:

• Public Health and Safety: Proponents argue that the bill provides necessary regulations to ensure the safety of hemp-derived products and prevent access by minors. 

Opponents' Perspective:

• Industry Impact: Critics contend that the bill could negatively affect the hemp industry by imposing stringent regulations and taxes, potentially leading to reduced availability of these products for consumers. 

Alabama Senate Bill 255 (SB255), introduced by Senator Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) on March 18, 2025, proposes a regulatory framework for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, termed "novel cannabinoid products," within the state. The bill aims to address public health concerns by establishing licensing, testing, and taxation requirements for retailers of these products.

Key Provisions of SB255

• Licensing and Oversight: Effective January 1, 2026, businesses intending to sell novel cannabinoid products must obtain a license from the Alabama Department of Revenue. Licenses are to be renewed annually, and the department may impose qualifications, including criminal background checks. Notably, businesses that sell or serve alcoholic beverages are prohibited from obtaining this license.
• Product Definitions: "Novel cannabinoid products" are defined as any products containing compounds found in or derived from hemp, including cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa), hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), and any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
• Testing and Labeling Requirements: The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is tasked with approving testing and labeling requirements for novel cannabinoid products. Retailers must comply with these requirements before selling any such products.
• Taxation and Compliance Fund: A 6% sales tax is to be levied on all novel cannabinoid products. Proceeds from this tax, along with license fees and any civil penalties, will be deposited into the newly established Novel Cannabinoid Safety Fund. This fund is designated to administer the act and protect the public from unregulated cannabinoid products.
• Penalties: The Department of Revenue is authorized to impose civil penalties for violations of the act, with specific details to be determined by the department's regulations.

Legislative Status

SB255 passed the Senate Tourism Committee and was sent to the full Senate on April 2nd.

Support and Opposition

Supporters' Perspective:

• Public Health and Safety: Proponents argue that the bill provides necessary regulations to ensure the safety of hemp-derived products and prevent access by minors. 

Opponents' Perspective:

• Industry Impact: Critics contend that the bill could negatively affect the hemp industry by imposing stringent regulations and taxes, potentially leading to reduced availability of these products for consumers. 

Alabama Senate Bill 273 (SB273), introduced by Senator April Weaver (R-Alabaster) on April 1, 2025, proposes a stringent regulatory framework for consumable hemp products in the state. The bill aims to restrict the sale of nonpsychoactive hemp-derived products and classify psychoactive cannabinoids as controlled substances. 

Key Provisions of SB273

• Reclassification of Psychoactive Cannabinoids: The bill amends existing law to exempt only nonpsychoactive cannabinoids derived from or found in hemp from the Schedule I controlled substances list. Consequently, psychoactive cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC would be classified as Schedule I controlled substances, making their possession, sale, and distribution illegal under state law. 
• Pharmacy-Only Sales: Starting January 1, 2026, consumable hemp products containing nonpsychoactive cannabinoids (e.g., CBD) intended for ingestion or absorption (such as tablets, gummies, creams, and tinctures) may only be sold in licensed pharmacies that obtain certification from the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy. Products like beverages, food items, smokables, and raw hemp are excluded from this provision.
• Testing and Labeling Requirements: The bill mandates that all consumable hemp products undergo testing for quality, potency, and safety before sale. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is tasked with establishing testing protocols and a seed-to-sale tracking system to monitor hemp cultivation and product distribution within the state.
• In-State Hemp Cultivation Requirement: Only consumable hemp products using hemp cultivated within Alabama may be sold, thereby promoting local agriculture and ensuring compliance with state regulations.
• Repeal of Minor Access Provision: The bill repeals the existing provision that prohibits the sale of psychoactive cannabinoids to minors, effectively banning these products entirely rather than regulating age-restricted sales. 

Legislative Status

SB273 passed the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee and was sent to the full Senate on April 9th.

Support and Opposition

Supporters' Perspective:

• Public Health and Safety: Proponents argue that the bill provides necessary regulations to ensure the safety of hemp-derived products and prevent access by minors. 

Opponents' Perspective:

• Industry Impact: Critics contend that the bill could negatively affect the hemp industry by imposing stringent regulations and limiting sales to pharmacies, potentially leading to reduced availability of these products for consumers and economic challenges for local farmers and retailers.

Lastly, one bill would address the ongoing struggles with the State’s medical cannabis licensing process—SB72

Alabama Senate Bill 72 (SB72), introduced by Senator Tim Melson (R-Florence) on February 4, 2025, proposes significant revisions to the state's medical cannabis licensing process. The bill aims to address ongoing delays and legal challenges by modifying the selection procedure for integrated facility licenses and altering the appeals process.

Key Provisions of SB72

• Increase in Integrated Facility Licenses: The bill raises the number of integrated facility licenses—from five to seven—allowing more entities to cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis.
• Third-Party Consultant for License Selection: By October 1, 2025, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) must hire a nationally recognized consultant with expertise in financial auditing and managerial consulting to select license recipients from applicants who submitted by December 31, 2022.
• Finality of Consultant's Decisions: The consultant's selections are deemed final and conclusive, with the AMCC required to grant licenses accordingly. Any court orders attempting to prevent or invalidate these licenses are immediately appealable to the Alabama Supreme Court.
• Elimination of Investigatory Hearings: The bill removes the requirement for the AMCC to hold investigatory hearings after denying a license, streamlining the administrative process. 
• Updated Application Requirements: Applicants must provide updated information, particularly regarding financial interests and obligations, by October 1, 2025. All information must be submitted under oath, affirming its accuracy.

Legislative Status

SB72 passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and sent to the full Senate on March 19th.

Support and Opposition

Supporters' Perspective:

• Streamlining the Licensing Process: Proponents argue that involving a third-party consultant will expedite the licensing process and reduce legal disputes, allowing patients quicker access to medical cannabis.

Opponents' Perspective:

• Concerns Over Accountability and Transparency: Critics contend that delegating license selection to an external consultant diminishes the AMCC's accountability and may lack transparency. They also express concerns that limiting judicial review could undermine checks and balances in the licensing process.

Editor’s note: The above legislative summaries were created sequentially using a generative AI LLM model during a single session, using a standardized subject-neutral prompt. This method was chosen to maximize uniformity of results and minimize point-of-view and bias variations in the summaries. All bill summaries were generated from a link to the most recent version of the bills available on ALISON as of Friday, May 2. No additional amendment links were included in the material summarized. Links to the bills and appropriate references are as provided.