Trussville Hemp Shops Face Uncertainty

0:00On this March 13th in Birmingham, here's what is making headlines. Trust Fill City leaders are navigating tough new rules from Alabama's hemp law. House Bill 445 took effect in January, shifting oversight to the State Alcohol Beverage Control Board. It has a 10% tax on consumable hemp products, ban certain items, and set strict packaging, labeling, and testing standards. Retailers now need ABC licenses, with THC, capped at 10 milligrams per product. Earlier this month, the City Council planned to review applications from three existing hemp shops during their March 10th meeting. They also considered pausing new hemp retail spots, but officials pulled the item from the agenda to dig deeper into options. Eight long-time hemp businesses in Trust Fill are stuck in uncertainty right now. These shops operated for years without issues, but the new law highlights a zoning snag. The City updated classifications in 2023, moving hemp to a C5 zone that does not exist locally yet.

1:01Business owners insist they are fully compliant and working closely with the ABC Board. One store has run for seven years with approved labels and products. Council members worry about lacking enough info and call for public input before deciding. Meanwhile, the Council aims to resolve this at their next meeting on March 19th. State officials know cities had time to prepare and can tailor rules to local needs, but some hemp stores statewide have already shut down amid the changes. Appreciation to our sponsor for backing this episode. If earbuds fall out when you sleep, this is for you. A pillow with built-in sound, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com.