"Don't Push Alabama Into the Black Market" Don't Ban Hemp-Regulate It Right

April 7, 2025 - This legislative session, Alabama lawmakers have introduced at least seven hemp-related bills-HB445, SB182, SB237, SB255, SB273, and SB274-with more likely on the way. These bills are aimed at restricting or even banning hemp-derived products. While protecting children is absolutely important, we

must also recognize the serious risks of overregulation.

If we regulate hemp to the point that legal businesses are forced to shut down, we're not protecting kids-we're creating an environment where they, and others, are pushed toward unregulated black market products. And those products are often untested, unsafe, and increasingly laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl.

Child Safety and the Real Risk

Some believe banning hemp products is the safest option for children. But the facts don't support that. A 2024 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that 11% of 12th graders had used delta-8 THC-a legal hemp-derived compound. The report also showed that youth were more likely to use delta-8 in states where it wasn't regulated. Why? Because when legal stores are closed, these products don't disappear-they move to the streets.

And that's where the real danger lies.

Unregulated hemp products found on the street often contain harmful additives-or worse, fentanyl. This powerful synthetic opioid is now a leading cause of overdose deaths ationwide. When legal products are banned, parents, teens, and adults seeking relief will find other sources-and those sources are often far more dangerous.

We don't need to ban the hemp industry to protect kids. We need to make sure it's safe, tested, and sold in the right places.

Hemp Helps Real People

Beyond the business, hemp products are helping real people-many of whom are not part of the industry at all.

I've had conversations with doctors, therapists, cancer nurses, and even church leaders who've shared stories of their friends and family who rely on these products. People with neurological conditions, cancer patients going through aggressive treatment, and women managing chronic illnesses like PCOS and endometriosis often turn to hemp-derived products for relief when traditional medicine falls short or causes harsh side effects.

What's more, many of these individuals don't have access to health insurance, or they can't afford expensive prescriptions. That's why safe and accessible over-the-counter hemp products matter. Moving these products to pharmacies or making them prescription-only could put them out of reach for the very people who need them most. Access matters just as much as safety-and we can have both.

Other States Have Found a Better Way

● Kentucky passed a law in 2023 that didn't ban delta-8, but regulated it with strong safety and labeling requirements. Now, the legal market is operating responsibly, and youth access is down.

● Florida's governor vetoed a sweeping hemp ban because it would have hurt small businesses and pushed people toward unsafe alternatives.

● California is cracking down on illegal sales while helping legitimate hemp businesses stay compliant and accountable.

Alabama doesn't have to start from scratch-we can look at what works elsewhere and apply it here.

What the Right Law Looks Like

A good law protects kids without wiping out an industry. Here's what that looks like:

● Set the age limit at 21 for all hemp-derived products.

● Move sales to 21+ novelty shops, not gas stations or convenience stores.

● Require strict testing and accurate labeling, so consumers know exactly what they're using.

● License and inspect businesses, rather than shutting them down with unrealistic requirements.

This path keeps products away from minors and fentanyl off the street-while also supporting responsible businesses that are following the rules.

Let's Not Trade One Danger for Another

We all want to keep kids safe. But banning legal hemp products doesn't make the problem go away-it just moves it underground. When that happens, the risks increase, not decrease.

Let's slow down. Let's be thoughtful. And let's pass the right bill-not just any bill.

We can protect children without shutting down an entire economic strip in Alabama. We can keep fentanyl out of our communities while keeping access open for those who truly need it. And we can support smart regulation that works for everyone.

Molly K. Cole is a lobbyist for the Alabama Hemp and Vape Association.