SB225 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Hemp, require state to seek federal approval of state program regulating hemp production, deschedule THC derived from hemp as a controlled substance, Secs. 2-8-381, 2-8-383, 20-2-2, 20-2-23 am'd.
Summary: SB 225 would regulate hemp production by creating a state plan to monitor it, seek federal approval, and deschedule hemp-derived THC from Alabama’s controlled substances list.
What This Bill Does
The Department of Agriculture and Industries, in consultation with the Governor and Attorney General, must develop a plan to monitor and regulate hemp production and submit it to the federal Secretary of Agriculture for approval. It defines industrial hemp as Cannabis sativa with delta-9 THC at 0.3% or less on a dry weight basis and treats hemp as an agricultural crop, excluding marijuana. The department and colleges may license growers, establish rules and fees, and deposit related revenue into the Agricultural Fund, while coordinating with other agencies and pursuing necessary federal permits or waivers. It also removes hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinols from Alabama's Schedule I list as controlled substances.

Who It Affects
Hemp growers, processors, and researchers who would be licensed and regulated under the new state program.
State regulators and leaders (Department of Agriculture and Industries, Governor, Attorney General) and higher education institutions who must develop, oversee, and implement the plan and work with federal authorities.

Key Provisions
Redefines Industrial Hemp to include plants, derivatives, and products with delta-9 THC not exceeding 0.3% on a dry weight basis and explicitly excludes marijuana.
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Industries, with the Governor and Attorney General, to develop a plan to monitor and regulate hemp production and submit it to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for approval.
Authorizes licensing of growers, rulemaking, and collection of fees; requires revenue to be deposited in the Agricultural Fund.
Requires coordination with other state agencies and allows pursuit of federal permits or waivers necessary for hemp research and program development.
Deschedules hemp-derived THC from Schedule I in Alabama, meaning hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinols are not treated as controlled substances.
Effective immediately upon passage and 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: Hemp