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Orange Beach business owners ask council to reconsider CBD seltzer ban after state law change
Summary
Local hemp/CBD store owners asked the council to revisit the city ordinance that currently bans hemp beverages, citing a new state law that permits limited THC hemp beverages through ABC/grocery rules; council agreed to research the state bill and report back.
Business owners and residents urged the council to consider changes to the city’s ordinance on hemp beverages after recent state action.
Amy Crawford, co‑owner of a local hemp shop, told the council the state now permits hemp beverage sales with limits (10 milligrams per serving, pack‑size and retail channel restrictions) and said local businesses need clarity and possibly an ordinance change to stay in business. “So currently, seltzers are not to be sold in the city of Orange Beach, and so we are back to ask if we can possibly reconsider that,” Crawford said.
Council members and staff discussed how the state has restricted sales to ABC and grocery outlets and the ABC board’s role; staff recommended researching the state bill and drafting a comparison with the city’s ordinance. The council took the request under advisement and asked staff to provide highlights of the state bill, a list of changes that would be necessary to the local ordinance to mirror state law, and an educational briefing on types and dosing (10 mg limits and product forms). Several speakers noted public‑health concerns and urged careful drafting if the ordinance is changed.
Next steps: staff will prepare a memorandum comparing the state law and the current Orange Beach ordinance and identify ordinance language that would need modification for council consideration.
