Senate committee gives favorable report to bill targeting certain hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids

An Alabama Senate committee voted to give a favorable report to legislation that would restrict some hemp-derived psychoactive cannabinoids, moving the measure forward for further consideration.

Senator Chris Roberts, sponsor of the measure, described the bill as an effort to address “a new phenomenon” of products that begin as hemp but are manufactured to produce higher-intensity synthetic THC effects. Roberts told the committee the draft places the new restrictions in the state’s medical marijuana chapter and preserves an exception for patients already approved under the medical marijuana program.

The committee heard two public proponents who urged caution about broad restrictions. Mitch Hungerpiller, identifying himself as a licensed hemp processor and cultivator and representing EZ Hemp Company, said his firm sells low-dose hemp beverages and other products in more than 500 locations across eight states and that licensed producers have followed federal and state compliance processes. “Please don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Hungerpiller said, urging regulation that distinguishes widely varying product potencies. He told senators that an emulsified 12-ounce beverage his firm sells typically produced effects within about 10 to 15 minutes and that, by his estimate, a serving equated roughly with “about 2 ounces of wine or a 12‑ounce domestic beer.”

A second proponent, Carmelo Arceli, said hundreds or thousands of Alabamians — including veterans, cancer patients and people with chronic pain or seizure disorders — currently use hemp-derived products and that sudden criminalization would harm patients and small businesses. “It would make licensed growers and processors felons overnight, destroying our businesses, our livelihoods,” Arceli said, and called for regulating age limits and stronger enforcement against bad actors rather than a broad ban.

Senator Roberts told the committee the Legislature is currently considering several related bills and that the goal is to “come up with something that works.” He said he filed the bill partly because of personal concerns about drug use in families and expressed an intent to continue discussions as bills move through the session.

After public testimony and some questioning about impairment, metabolism and enforcement, Roberts asked for a favorable report. The clerk called the roll and several senators recorded votes of “aye,” and the committee chair announced the bill received a favorable report.

The hearing record shows committee members raised practical enforcement questions — including how long cannabinoids can be detected in the body, workplace and corporate policy implications for drivers and public-safety employees, and differences in potency and labeling among products. Testimony noted differences in product formulation (for example, emulsified, water‑soluble preparations that speed onset vs. oil‑based products that take longer to metabolize) and witnesses urged stricter controls on mislabeling and sales by unregulated vendors.

The committee advanced the bill for additional consideration; no final floor action occurred at the hearing. Further committee and floor action is expected as lawmakers continue to reconcile several related bills addressing hemp-derived cannabinoids.