Despite considerable opposition from a segment of the Alabama business community, several state lawmakers have pushed forward with efforts to impose strict regulations on psychoactive cannabinoid products such as delta-8 and THC-infused drinks, products derived from cannabis or hemp.
“In 2023, the Alabama Poison Information Center investigated 235 cases involving delta-8, and more than 40% of calls were for children six and under,” Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, wrote in a recent op-ed. Whitt recently filed House Bill 445, which would impose strict regulations on all consumable hemp products, similar to how alcohol is regulated.
“…This will be a challenging undertaking, but I believe that any measure aimed at protecting the future of our state is one that lawmakers must seriously consider.”
Efforts to regulate
Whitt is not alone in his efforts to regulate psychoactive cannabinoid products, which have exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry since the the production and sale of hemp products was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, an unintentional side effect of the federal legislation.
In early February, Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, filed a bill that would have outright banned all psychoactive cannabinoid products in the state, classifying them as Schedule I controlled substances alongside cocaine and marijuana. After failing to gain any traction, however, Melson would go on to file Senate Bill 237 which, similar to HB445, would regulate psychoactive cannabinoid products similar to alcohol.
Under SB237, the regulating agencies for psychoactive cannabinoids would be split between the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for THC-infused drinks, and the ABC Board and the Department of Revenue together for all other psychoactive cannabinoids. Strict advertising restrictions would be imposed on said products, new licenses would be required for retailers, and a 10% excise tax would be levied on all sales.
The bill came up in a Senate committee recently but failed in a tied vote of 4–4, with a number of industry representatives speaking out against the measure.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Alexander Willis and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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