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House places psychoactive cannabinoid products under ABC control, limits retail availability
Summary
The House passed HB 445 substituting a regulatory framework that places certain psychoactive cannabinoid products under the state Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing regime, restricts sales to 21+ licensed stores and caps THC in drinks and gummies.
The Alabama House on April 9 adopted a substitute to HB 445 that places several psychoactive cannabinoid products under the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensing framework and restricts retail sales to 21‑and‑older licensed outlets.
Representative Matt Witt, sponsor of the bill, told the House the measure is intended to “replace … an unregulated, unchecked, and dangerous industry” by licensing and restricting the sale of psychoactive cannabinoid products such as delta‑8 and delta‑9 products and THC‑infused drinks.
The substitute requires ABC licensing for retailers, limits sales to stores that verify customers are 21 or older, caps THC levels in beverages and gummies (the substitute specified a 5‑milligram cap for certain THC drinks and gummies) and bans inhalable/vape products under the language adopted. Witt said the bill excludes vapes and inhalable products from the legal retail channel and would remove those items from convenience‑store shelves.
Supporters described the package as a public‑health measure to keep products out of the hands of youth, limit product potency in certain formats and create a regulated retail channel. The substitute was adopted by the House (84 yeas, 1 nay on the substitute) and final passage passed later in the day (76 yeas, 15 nays recorded for final passage). The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Witt said the bill would require ABC to license vendors, set labeling and limit requirements, and take several products off general retail shelves. Lawmakers who supported the measure said regulated adult retail with potency limits is preferable to the unregulated market now operating across the state. Opponents warned the bill could push consumers to black‑market channels if legal products are restricted; supporters said licensing and limits were necessary to protect public health and youth.
HB 445 passed the House substitute and then passed final passage as substituted. The House debate included discussion of tax and licensing details and the exact product definitions placed under ABC authority.
