More than 800 residents of Alabama have signed a petition on Change.org, urging Governor Kay Ivey to veto House Bill 445. The bill aims to significantly restrict access to THC-A and other hemp-derived products across the state. Critics argue that the legislation was rushed through the legislature and could harm small businesses, push consumers towards illegal markets, and limit access to alternative healthcare options.
Critics of the bill believe it represents government overreach, unfairly affecting legitimate businesses and individuals who rely on these products for medical relief. Josh, a veteran living with disabilities and PTSD, expressed in the petition that holistic treatments including THC-A have improved his quality of life. “The pills take a toll on my body… but treating myself holistically drastically improved my quality of life,” he wrote.
The proposed legislation includes bans on smokable hemp, limits THC in edibles to 10mg per serving, prohibits online sales and delivery, and imposes additional taxes and fees for retailers. Joe Resha, CEO of Avondale Apothecary in Birmingham, stated that the bill “will destroy the hemp industry here in Alabama,” adding that “everything will have to go.”
Jenni Otwell from Magic City Organics expressed concerns about potentially having to leave Alabama due to these restrictions. She said, “We are all real people. We are not criminals.” Mayor Randall Woodfin criticized HB445 as reminiscent of past cannabis criminalization efforts.
Abby Rice shared her reliance on hemp-derived products for managing rheumatoid arthritis and anxiety without harmful side effects. Other business owners like Matt from Route 420 Dispensary warned that the bill threatens their operations by cutting off alternatives to prescription medication.
The Alabama Policy Institute has also called for either a veto or amendments to align more closely with states like Colorado. Molly Cole from the Alabama Hemp and Vape Association remarked that the bill “creates more problems than it solves.”
Governor Ivey’s office has yet to indicate whether she will sign or veto HB445 before its deadline. If no action is taken by May 13th, it will become law automatically. The petition continues gaining support as Alabamians express concerns over potential impacts on health care access and economic stability.
