TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The battle to preserve the legality of cannabis products in Alabama is intensifying as local business owners express their opposition to Senate Bill 132. The proposed legislation aims to criminalize hemp-derived THC products, such as Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10, by reclassifying them as Schedule 1 drugs, effectively making their sale illegal.
Sonya Lowery, a local CBD business owner, said the bill would impact 90 percent of the products sold in her store. “The majority of everything that I sell, even full spectrum CBD products which are not psychoactive, would become illegal so at that point we would be out of business,” Lowery said.
The bill raises concerns about the lack of regulation surrounding these products and their high potential for abuse. Lowery questioned why adults over 21 in Alabama can purchase alcohol but not the hemp products they need. “We don’t sell to children,” she said.
Janell Colburn, a hemp customer, discovered hemp products while searching for menopausal relief. She said other options did not align with her health and financial needs. “So when I hear there is a bill that is going to attack again women’s health issues, it’s very disheartening because it’s one of the safest things we have available to us,” Colburn said.
Lowery vowed to continue fighting alongside the Alabama Hemp Trade Association to prove the safety of the products. “The fight is never going to stop because it isn’t just, well we are just going to ban it cause we don’t want to deal with it, no let’s do it right,” she said.
Senate Bill 132 was filed by District 1 Alabama Senator Tim Melson. ABC 3340’s Mary Barron has made multiple attempts to reach out to Senator Melson for his response to the concerns raised by Alabamians, but has not yet received a reply.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The battle to preserve the legality of cannabis products in Alabama is intensifying as local business owners express their opposition to Sena Read More
