ABC Board proposes new guidelines for Alabama hemp businesses

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — As CBS 42 has previously reported, some hemp businesses in Alabama are closing their doors as a new law cracks down on the industry. Whether it’s CBD gummies or hemp infused lotions, the ABC Board is setting new expectations for how products are sold in the state.

“I think CannaBama is financially ruined, beyond repair,” said Jennifer Boozer, founder of CannaBama in Mobile. “I mean, we’ve not been open for almost two months now.”

Business owners like Boozer are grappling with new THC guidelines. Proposed rules by the ABC Board require supermarkets and package stores to obtain a license to sell hemp products. Boozer said other requirements, like having to use child resistant packaging, would make items too expensive to sell.

“If an aluminum pull tab is enough safety for the entire alcohol industry, why then would we want to add 30, 40 cents per can for the hemp beverages, which are already at a much higher price point?” asked Boozer.

According to the guidelines, those hemp beverages, as well as other edibles, must contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC. They can only be sold to people 21 and older.

State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) said businesses can adapt.

“Delta eight and delta nine products that these shops were selling is not about wellness,” Whitt said. “It was simply about getting high. Let’s not try to sugar coat this any way.”

Green Acres Organic Pharms, based in Florence, said in a statement, “While the rules will bring new challenges, they also bring opportunities to expand access to hemp beverages and wellness-focused products in retail stores, pharmacies, and specialty shops.”

Rep. Whitt said now, parents can be rest assured that these products will stay out of the hands of children.

“I think it’s good,” Whitt explained. “I think the ABC has worked very hard on this. And I’m looking forward to people following the law and taking control of this industry.”

Daniel Dye with the ABC Board said in a statement that the proposed rules are subject to public comment, which is anticipated to close on October 3. Dye said you can email comments on the proposed rules to legal@abc.alabama.gov.