HB 445 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

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

HB 445 regulates consumable cannabinoid products derived from hemp by requiring the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (ABC) to oversee their licensure and sale. The bill prohibits selling these products to minors and bans online sales and direct-to-consumer transactions. It specifically excludes products containing psychoactive cannabinoids (like THC) from the regulated definition. This bill directly affects businesses selling hemp-derived consumable products, shifting their regulation from current frameworks to the ABC Board. The bill is currently pending committee review in the House of Origin as of March 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Mar 18, 2025 Signed May 27, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 7 edits · May 27, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized in its Enrolled version with significant policy updates to tighten regulations on hemp products. The most critical change is the explicit prohibition of smokable hemp products, such as hemp cigarettes and flowers, which were not clearly banned in the previous draft. Additionally, the bill now explicitly bans online sales and direct delivery of these products, and it clarifies that the law does not apply to the Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was narrowed regarding who is regulated (manufacturers and wholesalers are no longer explicitly licensed in the summary) and expanded regarding prohibited activities (smokable products and online sales are now strictly banned).

REQUIREMENT

Explicitly prohibits the sale of smokable hemp products, including hemp cigarettes, cigars, and flowers.

Explicitly prohibits online sales and direct delivery of consumable hemp products.

Added a provision stating that federal laws enacted after July 1, 2025, will supersede this chapter if they conflict.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'Container' to refer to packaging by the 'producer' instead of the 'manufacturer'.

Added a new definition for 'Distributor' to clarify the supply chain role.

Refined the definition of 'Consumable Hemp Product' to exclude seeds and ingredients generally recognized as safe by the FDA.

ELIGIBILITY

The summary of the bill's purpose was updated to remove explicit mention of licensing manufacturers and wholesalers, focusing instead on retailers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Whitt Concur In and Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1198

lower

May 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 997

upper

May 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Singleton motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 996

upper

May 6, 2025

Introduced

Singleton 1st Amendment Offered

upper

May 6, 2025

Introduced

Smitherman 1st Amendment Offered

upper

May 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Melson motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 994

upper

May 6, 2025

Introduced

Melson 1st Substitute Offered

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development)

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 795

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 794

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced

Health 1st Substitute Offered (Health)

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Health)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors