Committee Hears Bill to Regulate Psychoactive Hemp‑Derived Products; Supporters Call for Ban, Industry Warns Against Rushed Limits

Representative Andy Witt, sponsor of House Bill 445, told the committee the bill would put “guardrails on a currently unregulated, unchecked, and dangerous industry,” describing a statewide presence of psychoactive cannabinoid products—delta‑8, delta‑9, infused drinks and vapes—sold at convenience stores and restaurants.

Witt said the bill would move regulation to the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) board for age enforcement, ban on‑premise consumption, require certificates of analysis from certified labs, cap THC at 5 milligrams per serving, require childproof packaging and ban inhalable products such as vapes and flower. He cited Alabama Poison Control data and field examples of products that he said were marketed and packaged in ways that appealed to children.

Several law enforcement and public‑health witnesses urged the committee to act. Lieutenant…