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 Bradford of the Trussle Police Department said his narcotics investigators bought products from local vape stores and had laboratory testing that showed total THC far above the 0.3% federal hemp threshold, and that officers were already making arrests when they found leaf‑like product in vehicles. The State Bureau of Investigation representative told the committee that testing discrepancies between manufacturers’ certificates and law enforcement tests had complicated enforcement since the 2018 federal hemp law.

Alabama Poison Control numbers were cited by the sponsor and other witnesses: Witt said Poison Control reported 1,423 exposure calls since Feb. 2022, with 470 last year, 76% from product ingestion and 16% requiring hospitalization. Witt also cited age breakdowns, saying ages 2–15 had 161 cases through October in the referenced period and 16–24 was the next largest cohort; he said some overdoses required med‑flight evacuations from high schools.

Family members and health professionals described individual harms. Christine Carr, a nurse anesthetist, urged stronger end‑product testing and recommended testing THC at the end product rather than only at dry weight; she said a 5 mg cap is a start but urged testing that reports percent THC in the final product. Carrie Long described a family member who she said suffered lasting cognitive and psychiatric harm after exposure to synthetic THC products.

Industry representatives opposed parts of the bill or urged a slower, evidence‑based approach. Molly Cole of the Alabama Hemp and Vape Association and business owners said they supported age restrictions and testing but warned rushed legislation could destroy local businesses and jobs (the industry witnesses estimated thousands of jobs). One beverage company executive said his low‑dose product is comparable to a small glass of wine and asked for an amendment to allow sale in grocery stores, restaurants and venues for adults with strict ID checks and testing requirements.

Public‑health proponents and some legislators urged a ban or much tougher limits. Several speakers argued the products are functioning as recreational marijuana and that packaging and high potencies have led to pediatric exposures. Others asked whether a wholesale ban was feasible given federal hemp law; supporters said ABC oversight and testing requirements are needed to create enforceable limits.

No vote was taken. Chairman Sanders indicated further work and discussion were expected and the committee will consider the bill at a later date after stakeholders and enforcement agencies provide additional input.