Alabama state officials opened hemp applications for the 2020 growing season as Alabama farmers successfully finished their first year of legal hemp cultivation.
The cultivation of hemp is legal in the Cotton State, but the legality of hemp-derived products is still up in the air. Let’s take a look at the legal status of smokable flower in the Cotton State.
Is Hemp Flower Legal in Alabama?
In October 2019, the state of Alabama banned CBD hemp flower and hemp buds, which came as a huge shock to CBD store owners and hemp farmers.
Although the state hemp law authorizes the growth, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and sale of hemp and hemp products, dried, smokable hemp flower got banned. [1]
Alabama sent out notices to farmers and CBD store owners, which clarified that selling raw flower or buds to the general public is unlawful.
The sale of hemp flower is only permitted between licensed growers and processors — and allows them to turn the flower into a product. Alabama prohibited the sale of hemp smokables and pre-rolls because, in this state, dried hemp flower is considered unprocessed.
This came as a huge surprise to growers, business owners, and consumers, who were satisfied at how open and receiving Alabama was to industrial hemp.
Under the Alabama law, “hemp products” include “any and all products made from industrial hemp, including, but not limited to cloth, cordage, fiber, food, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, plastics, seed, seed meal and seed oil for consumption, and seed for cultivation if the seeds originate from industrial hemp varieties.” [1]
In 2016, the Alabama legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, which legalized hemp under the 2014 Farm Bill.
Later in May 2019, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 255. The Act delegated the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to develop a plan to regulate the commercial production of hemp in this state — under the 2018 Farm Bill. [2]
The current Alabama law defines hemp as: “The plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, cultivated or possessed by a licensed grower or otherwise in accordance with the state’s USDA-approved regulatory plan, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” [1]
The Cotton State finished its first year of legal hemp cultivation successfully as the samples taken from 45 licensed hemp growers in Alabama passed the low-THC test.
Where to Buy Hemp Flower in Alabama?
State hemp markets are still developing, so many people find the most quality hemp flower online.
Best Hemp Flower on the Market
Here are the hemp strains from reliable companies we recommend and use:
Baox from Mr. Hemp Flower
If you are looking for something really special, the Baox Hemp Flower is one of the best around.
Baox is a highly potent, organically (outdoor) grown, hand-trimmed hemp flower with an insane terpene profile — ideal for rolling.
With a CBD content nearing 19%, this strain is a part of local, small-batch production. To create this strain, the company’s team partnered with a local farmer in Asheville, NC, who took extra care of the plants.
WHERE TO BUY?
MRHEMPFLOWER.COM
2: Tokyo from Industrial Hemp Farms
If you are looking for a strong — but not too strong — CBD flower, Tokyo is the real deal.
Tokyo is an indoor grown CBD flower with nearly 17% cannabinoid content. This strain has a beautiful lime green color and dank smell, but mild and smooth flavor. Users confirm to love this strain because it’s seedless and great for grinding.
WHERE TO BUY?
INDUSTRIALHEMPFARMS.COM
3: Hawaiian Haze from Dr. Ganja
If you are looking for something calming, Hawaiian Haze will do the job.
Hawaiian Haze is another highly potent, pesticide-free, organic hemp flower that ticks all the boxes — dominantly sativa with a rich smell of pine. This strain contains 16% CBD and is highly effective, which makes it one of the most popular CBD flower among hemp flower lovers.
WHERE TO BUY?
DRGANJA.COM
Is CBD Legal in Alabama?
The law is murky regarding the legality of hemp CBD in Alabama. Simply put, CBD is unregulated in the Cotton State.
According to a statement by the Alabama Attorney General, “CBD derived from industrial hemp with a THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis, can be legally produced, sold, and possessed in the state of Alabama.” [3]
The new Alabama hemp law removed hemp from the state’s controlled substances list and allowed pharmacies to carry CBD dietary supplements.
But, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries stated that “the law has not been clarified as to whether the sale of CBD oil is legal in Alabama.” [1]
It seems like CBD is legal in Alabama as long as it’s derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC, but these two sources are contradicting each other.
FAQ on Hemp Flower Alabama Laws:
The state of Alabama hasn’t put restrictions on the quantity of hemp flower you are allowed to purchase at once.
Unfortunately, Alabama doesn’t allow the sale of floral parts (buds) or unprocessed hemp to the general public. The sale of raw hemp is only allowed between licensed growers and processors.
Individuals who want to purchase hemp flower for in Alabama need a license.
Individuals can buy hemp flower in Alabama CBD shops and dispensaries. However, you’ll have higher chances of finding quality hemp flower if you order online.
The legal status of CBD in this state is murky. According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, it’s unclear whether or not CBD from hemp is allowable for sale. However, according to the state Attorney General, hemp CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal in Alabama.
According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, the law hasn’t clarified whether or not hemp-derived CBD oil is legal for sale in Alabama.