MONTGOMERY — Legislation regulating psychoactive cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC cleared the House Health Committee on Tuesday, sending it to the House floor for a vote.
Delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, THCa and THCP are among some of the most popular legal psychoactive cannabinoids legally available at hundreds of stores in the state right now. Their surge in popularity comes as they are legal alternatives to traditional marijuana.
The primary psychoactive compound found in marijuana and its derivatives is called Delta-9 THC. However, state law lists all THC as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. The legal cannabinoids are generally derived from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), which is excluded from the state’s current drug scheduling. The hemp plant is used to extract compounds that, while technically legal, produce a similar psychoactive effect as traditionally smoked, vaped or ingested THC.
Like THC, the legal cannabinoids can be eaten, usually in the form of gummies, as well as smoked, vaped and infused drinks. Some retain their chemical structure after being ingested. While others, like THCa, convert to Delta-9 THC when heated, either as a bud, flower or through vaping THCa extracts.
House Bill 445 (HB445), by State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), would authorize the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board to regulate all consumable hemp products through the licensure of manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and retailers. Whitt also stated the bill would ban all hemp-derived inhalable products, including vapes, flowers and buds.
It would also limit sales to those over 21 and restrict retail establishments that sell consumable hemp products to existing liquor stores or other locations that minors may not access, with penalties provided. It would also add requirements for labeling and testing, limit the amount of THC that can be in consumable hemp products to five milligrams, and levy an excise tax.
The committee held a public hearing on the legislation last week, during which opponents and proponents voiced their support or opposition to the bill.
Whitt presented the bill before the committee on Tuesday, reiterating his desire to see these products removed from availability in grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and other non-age-restricted shops.
The bill garnered unanimous support from lawmakers, but not without some pushback from both sides of the aisle.
State Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika) suggested a possible economic impact study to measure the resulting impact Whitt’s bill would have on the state.
State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) further questioned why the state didn’t enact an all-out ban on all hemp-derived cannabinoids and synthetic marijuana.
Whitt responded that lawmakers did not have an appetite for a total ban, alluding to Senate efforts to ban the products that have all but fizzled in their respective committees.
After brief discussion, the bill passed without a single “no” vote. It now goes to the House floor for a full vote.
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