Alabama hemp store owner, gubernatorial candidate ‘disgusted’ by raids

DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Sudden raids on hemp shops across south Alabama last week sparked outrage and fear across the state, leading a Dothan business owner who is also seeking Alabama’s highest office to say Gov. Kay Ivey should feel “ashamed.”

Special agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency raided stores in Enterprise, Troy, Wetumpka, and Clanton on June 23. The ALEA claimed these businesses were targeted for “violating current, long-standing marijuana laws.”

“Apparently, the State of Alabama is out raiding hemp stores today. I am disgusted,” Chad Chig Martin wrote on his official campaign Facebook page.

Martin is running for Alabama governor on the Democratic ticket. The gubernatorial candidate owns Honeysuckle Hemp in Dothan and said his customers were “furious” over the raids Tuesday. Martin was even forced to close his store on Wednesday because of the ongoing raids.

“The state has continued their raids on hemp stores today,” Martin wrote Wednesday. “I just had a store call our shop. They said their products were seized and all of their cash taken. Governor Ivey, you should be ashamed of yourself. Pathetic leadership. With a few days left to even sell the product. They are crushing hard-working, family run businesses. Get me elected if you want to stop this crap. I promise you, I will not stand for it.”

New regulations, set to go into effect July 1, were set to his hemp businesses after Ivey signed HB445 in May. This law reduces serving sizes of THC to 10 milligrams, places a 10% tax on hemp products and prohibits businesses from selling hemp products to anyone under 21.

Businesses selling hemp products would also have to be licensed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Many business owners and even lawmakers pushed against the bill as it was making its way through the legislature, saying it would destroy businesses by eliminating the majority of the products that are sold.