HB445 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andy WhittRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Cannabinoids found in hemp; licensure and regulation of sale of consumable cannabinoid products by Alcoholic Beverage Control Board imposed

Summary

HB445 creates a state-regulated system for consumable hemp products, giving the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board power to license producers, distributors, and retailers, set safety and labeling rules, restrict sales to adults, tax sales, and enforce compliance.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to license manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and retailers of consumable hemp products and to regulate their sale in Alabama. It sets an age limit of 21 and restricts sales to licensed premises, banning online orders and direct shipments of consumable hemp products. It requires independent testing and labeling, with THC limits per serving and per container, and packaging and labeling requirements including warnings and ingredient lists. It imposes a 10% excise tax on retail sales, creates a Consumable Hemp Product Compliance Fund for enforcement, and establishes penalties, license actions, and seizure authority for violations.

Who It Affects

• Retailers, manufacturers, and distributors of consumable hemp products must obtain ABC licenses, pay fees, undergo background checks, maintain records, post bonds, and comply with testing, labeling, packaging, and sales requirements.
• Consumers in Alabama are affected by the 21+ purchase rule and related penalties for underage sales; adults can buy only from licensed retailers, with taxes collected and enforcement by state and local authorities.

Key Provisions

• Licensing regime: ABC Board will license producers, wholesalers, and retailers; requires background checks, a $50 filing fee, a $1,000 annual license fee, a $25,000 bond per location, and annual renewals.
• Age and premises restrictions: Sales limited to 21+, licenses tied to local approvals, minimum sales area and staffing requirements, purchases must occur on licensed premises, and no online or direct shipments.
• Product standards and labeling: Independent testing with certificates of analysis, THC and content limits, packaging and labeling rules, ingredient disclosure, and warnings; smokable hemp products prohibited and alcohol in products prohibited.
• Taxation and enforcement: 10% excise tax on retail sales with revenue sharing to state and local government; penalties for license violations and underage sales, seizure of unlawful products, and a dedicated fund to support administration and enforcement.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Controlled Substances