News Summary
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is against Alabama’s HB445, which could harm small businesses by imposing strict restrictions on hemp products. The bill limits THC levels, raises taxes on consumable hemp goods, and could criminalize current legal products. Local businesses, especially in Black and brown communities, fear decreased economic opportunities. Mayor Woodfin is calling for legislative revisions to support rather than hinder the hemp industry’s growth, citing financial burdens on local law enforcement and business viability.
Birmingham – Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has voiced strong opposition to Alabama House Bill 445 (HB445), citing its potential to adversely affect small businesses and working families across the state. The bill places new restrictions on hemp products, capping THC levels at 10 milligrams per serving and prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 21. Furthermore, it imposes a 10% tax on consumable hemp goods and limits sales to establishments licensed by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
The mayor contends that this legislation could force hundreds of businesses in Alabama to shut their doors. He underscored that under HB445, products that are currently legal would become a felony offense as of July 1, 2025, while possession of marijuana would remain a misdemeanor. Such drastic changes have raised concerns about the financial implications for businesses that rely on hemp and its derivatives.
Local businesses have expressed confusion and concern regarding the bill. A particular point of contention is the potential criminalization of selling hemp flowers that are currently permitted. Among those affected are entrepreneurs within the Black and brown communities, who feel that the new regulations disproportionately target their businesses and limit economic opportunities.
Mayor Woodfin has called on Governor Kay Ivey to convene a special legislative session to revise the contentious bill. He argues that it does not promote public safety as claimed, rather it punishes economic growth and could significantly burden local law enforcement agencies with increased enforcement actions.
As part of the bill’s new regulations, smokable hemp products and high-potency gummies would be banned, which critics argue would disrupt a significant portion of the market. The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board will be tasked with overseeing the manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of hemp products, creating additional compliance requirements for businesses. This includes mandatory criminal background checks and licensing processes, which involve an annual fee of $1,000 for retailers.
While proponents of HB445 argue that the bill is essential for protecting public safety—particularly for children—the opposition maintains that the bill will stifle small businesses and limit access to legal hemp products, which many rely on for medicinal purposes. The legislation is set to come into effect on July 1, 2025, with businesses required to comply by January 1, 2026.
Supporters of the bill emphasize the need for regulation, especially in light of safety concerns regarding THC consumption among minors. However, critics, including Mayor Woodfin, assert that these measures could devastate the local economy and hinder the livelihood of many business owners across Alabama.
As discussions continue, the future of hemp regulation in Alabama remains uncertain, with many local stakeholders eager for legislative revisions that would support, rather than hinder, the industry’s growth and sustainability.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Birmingham Mayor Opposes Strict Hemp Regulations in Alabama
Alabama Residents Rally Against Smokable Hemp Ban
Alabama to Enforce Stricter Regulations on Hemp Industry
New Hemp Product Regulations Create Uncertainty in Alabama
Alabama Enacts New Regulations for THC Products
Alabama Enacts HB 445 to Regulate THC Products
Alabama Enacts Strict Regulations on Hemp-Derived THC and CBD Products
Birmingham Sees Major Expansion in Job Market
Alabama Moves Toward Stricter Hemp and THC Regulations
Alabama Advances HB445: New Regulations on Hemp and THC Sales
Additional Resources
- AL.com: Birmingham Mayor Calls for Special Session
- WVTM13: Birmingham CBD Business Owner Discusses Regulations
- ABC3340: Mayor Urges Veto of Alabama House Bill 445
- Birmingham Times: Businesses Upset Over Hemp Bill
- CBS42: Mayor Woodfin to Urge Veto of HB445
- Wikipedia: Hemp
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hemp
- Google Search: Alabama hemp regulations
- Google News: Alabama House Bill 445
- Google Scholar: hemp regulations impact
