Sen. April Weaver on Synthetic Marijuana in Alabama

Recently, Alabama State Senator April Weaver and ALCAP President Greg Davis discussed the ongoing topic of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and marijuana in the state legislature on Priority Talk Radio. Before covering that issue, Sen. Weaver recapped her successful sponsorships of the “banning galaxy gas” bill (SB78, now law) and “defining male and female” bill (SB79, now law) during this legislative session.

They then moved to an issue that is being discussed heavily in the session, which is basically synthetic marijuana products derived from hemp that are legally allowed to be made through a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. These products legally use the available THC in hemp, but the concentration is strengthened through laboratory processes and the resulting products can be similar to illegal marijuana products. This synthetic marijuana is then sold at stores recreationally, and minors are able to obtain them and bring them into schools.

Her bill (SB273) reads as follows (emphasis added): “Existing law lists tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as a Schedule I controlled substance, but explicitly exempts THC found in hemp.

“This bill would provide that only nonpsychoactive cannabinoids derived from or found in hemp are exempt from the Schedule I controlled substances list, thus classifying psychoactive cannabinoids as controlled substances.

“This bill would provide that products that are ingested, whether orally or absorbed through the skin, that contain cannabidiol (CBD) or other nonpsychoactive cannibinoids found in or derived from hemp may only be sold in licensed pharmacies that obtain certification from the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy.”

Sen. April Weaver’s bill would close the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill by classifying psychoactive cannabinoids in hemp as a Schedule I controlled substance, thus putting them under existing laws controlling Schedule I substances. Also, nonpsychoactive cannibinoid products from hemp would be regulated by being sold in licensed pharmacies.

To listen to their entire conversation, click here.