SB347 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul Bussman
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: SB347 creates an Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program, allowing the state and universities to grow industrial hemp for hemp products and excluding industrial hemp from the marijuana definition.
What This Bill Does
It establishes the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act and authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Industries to run the program, licensing growers and allowing permits or waivers to grow industrial hemp for hemp products. It defines industrial hemp and related terms (like hemp products and growers), and lets the department or higher education pursue federal permits or waivers needed to grow hemp. It requires the department to adopt rules and set license fees, with revenue going to the Agricultural Fund, and to coordinate with other state agencies to support safety, economy, and job growth. It also amends the marijuana definition to exclude industrial hemp.

Who It Affects
Licensed growers (individuals, businesses, or cooperatives) who would be licensed to grow industrial hemp for hemp products
Institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities) that would conduct industrial hemp research and may grow hemp under the act

Key Provisions
Creates the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act and designates the Department of Agriculture and Industries to administer it
Authorizes the department or an institution of higher education to apply for permits or waivers to grow industrial hemp for hemp products
Defines key terms: industrial hemp (≤0.3% delta-9 THC; not marijuana), hemp products, grower, institution of higher education
Requires rules and licensing with fees; revenue deposited to the Agricultural Fund
Allows pursuit of federal permits or waivers (e.g., from the DEA) to advance the program
Calls for coordination with other state agencies to protect public safety and grow the state's economy
Amends Section 20-2-2 to exclude industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval

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