AUBURN, Ala. (EETV) – A state bill aimed at tightening regulations on THC and hemp products is having an impact on local businesses, sparking discussion at a recent Auburn City Council meeting.
During the Feb. 17 meeting, city council members discussed how Alabama House Bill 445 could affect local businesses that currently sell hemp and THC products. The legislation has increased control of the sale and consumption of those products across the state, as well as adopted new licensing requirements and product regulations. HB445 also imposes restrictions on retail establishments and prohibits the sale of smokeable hemp products, online sales and direct delivery of consumable hemp products, the sale of consumable hemp products to minors and imposes an excise tax on consumable hemp products.
Supporters of the bill argue it would create more concrete safety guidelines and prevent illegal or unregulated sales. Others, however, say the additional requirements could limit access to products that some consumers rely on for pain relief and medicinal purposes.
“Personally, I’m pretty straight edged as far as it comes,” said Jonny Koeninger, an Auburn resident. “I don’t really drink or smoke, but I’ve seen what THC products can actually do. And I’ve seen a lot of helpful things that it can do, especially for cancer patients.”
House Bill 445 comes as Alabama continues to navigate its approach to hemp products following the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp at the federal level. Products such as Delta-8 and Delta-9 have grown in popularity in recent years, igniting debate about regulation and safety standards.
For some local business owners, the effects of the legislation are being felt.
Meghan Hardesty, owner of the local vape shop VapenJays in Auburn, said the new regulations from the bill have forced her to pull certain products from the shelves. Since January, she said her store has lost roughly 50% of its revenue.
Hardesty said the bill has also limited her from being able to restock certain THC and hemp products, leaving both her business and her customers empty-handed.
“I still have no products to sell to those customers that are desperately seeking that same relief that they’ve been able to get from me as a retailer for years,” said Hardesty.
She added that the impact extends beyond just her business.
“Not only are we hurting as a business owner financially, we’re watching our customers suffer as well because they cannot legally purchase these products until we’re licensed and those products are approved,” she said.
City council members discussed the bill and the effects it will have locally on the community. During the meeting, council members voted to shorten the delay period in an attempt to speed up the process for affected businesses, in case additional licensing or local approvals would be required.
Council members did not oppose the state legislation, but acknowledged the challenges it could present for current local retailers. The vote shows a conscious effort to prepare for potential regulation changes, rather than delay them.
For now, business owners, customers and city officials are all watching the bill closely. Council members are scheduled to decide their next steps at the upcoming Auburn City Council meeting on March 17.
