HB393 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Ken Johnson
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Industrial hemp, manufactured by Agriculture and Industries Department or university, Agriculture Dept. to authorize, exemption from definition of marijuana for purposes on controlled substances list, Sec. 20-2-2 am'd.
Summary: HB393 creates an Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program that lets the Department of Agriculture and Industries, or universities, grow and study industrial hemp for hemp products and excludes industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana in state law.
What This Bill Does
Allows the Department of Agriculture and Industries to administer an industrial hemp research program and license growers (the department or an institution of higher education) to grow industrial hemp for hemp products. It enables pursuit of federal permits or waivers to grow hemp in Alabama and supports development of hemp products. It amends the controlled substances law to exclude industrial hemp from marijuana, defines industrial hemp with a 0.3% delta-9 THC limit, and treats hemp as an agricultural crop or commodity.

Who It Affects
Licensed growers (individuals, businesses, or cooperatives) who would be allowed or licensed to grow industrial hemp and may need permits, waivers, or fees to participate in the program.
The Department of Agriculture and Industries and institutions of higher education that run and coordinate the hemp research program, including pursuing federal permits and licensing growers.

Key Provisions
Establishes the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program under the Department of Agriculture and Industries; authorizes licensing of growers to cultivate industrial hemp for hemp products, allows for demonstration plots, and requires licensing rules, with license and related revenue deposited into the Agricultural Fund; permits pursuing federal permits or waivers and coordinating with other state agencies.
Amends Section 20-2-2 to exclude industrial hemp from the marijuana definition in Alabama's controlled substances law, defines industrial hemp as Cannabis sativa with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis, and designates hemp as an agricultural crop or commodity separate from marijuana.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Agriculture