HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A bill that would regulate THC products derived from hemp is awaiting signature by Governor Kay Ivey.
While the bill has seen support from North Alabama legislators, one Huntsville business is concerned.
“It’s liable to close our doors,” said Owner and CEO of The Green Lady Dispensary Jason Pauls.
He said the majority of products currently on his shelves would no longer meet state requirements under HB 445. The new law would limit product serving sizes to 10 milligrams of THC. Packages would not be able to contain more than 40 milligrams total.
“All of our products do not follow those guidelines,” Pauls said.
He said a typical hemp product in his store contains between 200 to 1,200 milligrams per package, with a varying number of servings. For example, one product had 200 total milligrams listed on the package, split between 10 gummies, each containing 20 milligrams.
“What they’re asking us to do is put individually wrapped gummies at 10 milligrams [not to exceed a total of 40mg per package],” he said. “There’s not even a supply company in the United States right now that does that.”
If HB 445 is signed into law, the new requirements would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Manufacturers say the clock is ticking.
“It’s a little bit of time, but not quite enough time,” said Charlie Decelle, Owner and Operator of CNR Hemp Company.
He said it will take a lot of time and money to change equipment and processes before that deadline.
“I’d say the most difficult thing to wrap my head around right now is the individually packaged gummies,” Decelle said. “It’s kind of absurd.”
He said it would cost about $10,000 for the equipment needed to do this efficiently.
Both Pauls and Decelle say they agree with other parts of the proposed bill, such as removing unregulated products from convenience stores, and that they support regulations.
However, they wish that Alabama lawmakers had taken more time to understand the hemp industry before passing HB 445. They’re asking Governor Kay Ivey to veto it.
“Hopefully she hears this and you know understands that this bill needs more time to be discussed before we put it into law, and it kind of wrecks a lot of businesses,” Decelle said.
The bill was sponsored by North Alabama Representative Andy Whitt. On Friday, he told News 19 that it was one of the projects he “worked most hard on” during this legislative session.
Rep. Whitt said he wants people to understand that the bill is not meant to remove access to medicinal products.
“One thing that’s very important that people need to understand is that they still have access to the low-dosage, they will still have the ability for arthritis cream, things of that nature,” Rep. Whitt said. “They will just need to go through the controlled and regulated industry now.”
Pauls told News 19 that in the six and a half years that he’s been in business, he’s seen his products help hundreds of people each day. He said he carries wellness products that help people with pain, anxiety, sleep and other ailments.
Pauls said he hopes that once the new regulations take effect, he can keep his doors open for the people who need his products.
“We’re going to do our best to work with our suppliers and meet the demands from the state, but we don’t know,” he told News 19.
You can read HB 445 here.
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