Measures Restrict Sales Locations, Target Youth Access, Await Governor's Signature
The Alabama Legislature passed two significant bills on Tuesday aimed at regulating the sale of vaping products and consumable hemp/THC items. Both bills now head to Governor Kay Ivey for her signature.
One bill, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest), grants the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board authority over consumable hemp products (like Delta-8). It removes these items from convenience and grocery stores, limiting their sale to adult-only (21+) establishments like liquor stores or dedicated CBD/hemp shops. Rep. Whitt cited easy access, like THC slushies at gas stations, as a key concern driving the legislation.
The second bill, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), specifically targets nicotine vaping products. It restricts convenience stores to selling only those vape products that have received FDA approval. All other non-FDA approved vape products must be sold exclusively in 21-and-up stores. Rep. Drummond emphasized the "epidemic" nature of youth vaping and tragic incidents involving laced products as motivations for the bill, which also funds youth education programs. Both bills include penalties for non-compliance.
