INDUSTRY UPDATES

March 21, 2025

Hemp Bill Updates in Alabama, California, Connecticut and Texas

We’re tracking legislative moves in Alabama, California, Connecticut and Texas that have varying impacts on hemp business and consumers.

Alabama – Three key bills:

  • SB 132 aims to classify hemp-derived THC products as controlled substances. Oppose this bill!
  • HB 445 would limit hemp beverages to 5mg THC per serving and restrict sales to liquor stores. Oppose this bill!
  • SB 255 creates a regulated market with a 6% tax to support consumer safety. Support this bill!

California – AB 8 was amended to effectively ban retail sales of hemp products, forcing them into dispensaries. More action coming soon!

Connecticut – Two new bills:

  • HB 7178 establishes a task force to enforce cannabis and hemp regulations.
  • SB 970 updates hemp definitions and regulations, allowing some low-THC products to be sold without licensing.

More action coming soon!

Texas –

SB 3 would ban nearly every hemp product currently available. Oppose this bill!

HB 4242 provides common-sense regulations for hemp sales, including e-commerce. Support this bill!

Alabama

We’ve got our eyes on three bills in Alabama.   We previously alerted you to SB 132, which narrows the THC exemption in Alabama’s controlled substances act by stating that only non-psychoactive cannabinoids from hemp are exempt. The intent of the bill is to treat delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC like controlled substances, leaving in question whether any hemp THC products would be exempt.   This remains in committee, and we ask you to please use our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to oppose SB 132.

Alabama’s HB 445 is a new bill that sets a new regulatory framework for consumable hemp products, placing this regulation under the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.  As written, hemp beverages and consumable products would be limited to 5mg THC per serving, while all other hemp products would be limited to 0.3% total THC on a dry weight basis.  The bill also restricts the retail sale of consumable hemp products to existing liquor stores and other locations that are inaccessible to minors. Please use our State Action Center to urge lawmakers to oppose SB 445.

Alabama’s SB 255 is also a newly-introduced bill that establishes a regulatory framework for the sale and distribution of hemp products under the authority of the state’s Department of Revenue. A 6% tax would be levied on the sale of all cannabinoid products and the proceeds would fund the new Novel Cannabinoid Safety Fund.  All retail licensure fees, civil penalties, and tax proceeds would be deposited into this fund to protect the public from unregulated cannabinoid products.

If you live or own a business in Alabama, please use our State Action Center to email your legislators in opposition of SB 132 and SB 445, and in support of SB 225.

Contact Alabama Legislators

California

In California, AB 8 was amended this week in committee.  The amendments would essentially ban the retail sale of hemp products and require these products to be sold at a dispensary.  This is consistent with Governor Newsom’s efforts to ban the retail sale of all hemp products – his administration recently renewed the emergency regulation that led to the current prohibition.  We are determining our strategy and will be in touch with a Hemp Supporter campaign soon.

Connecticut

In Connecticut, HB 7178 establishes a statewide cannabis and hemp enforcement task force for the enforcement of laws regarding cannabis and cannabis products, infused beverages, hemp and hemp products, and moderate-THC hemp products. Under this bill, the task force is authorized to conduct investigations at any place within the state as deemed necessary and the task force can enter into agreements with other states pertaining to hemp, hemp product, and moderate-THC hemp product law enforcement matters that extend across state boundaries. 

Connecticut also saw the recent introduction of SB 970, which redefines “marijuana” to exclude certain hemp products and naturally manufactured hemp cannabinoids. The bill also defines “low-THC hemp product” as a product with one-half of one milligram or less of THC on a per-container basis. Additionally, the bill sets strict guidelines for the packaging, labeling, and advertising of hemp products. Licensed entities are permitted to sell high-THC hemp products and naturally manufactured hemp cannabinoids to specific licensed facilities within the state as well as to entities outside of the state, provided they adhere to federal THC concentration limits. Certain low-THC hemp products are exempt from licensing requirements for retail and wholesale sales, provided they are sourced from authorized manufacturers.

Texas

In Texas, HB 4242 establishes a common sense regulatory framework for the sale, distribution, delivery, and production of hemp and hemp-related products.  The bill would allow for the sale of hemp and hemp products via e-commerce and regulate testing and packaging to ensure consumer safety.  We are hoping to see this emerge as the House alternative to SB 3, which passed the Senate this week, and would result in a complete ban of nearly every hemp product currently on the marketplace. 

If you live or own a business in Texas, please use our State Action Center to email your legislator in opposition of SB3 and in support of HB 4242. 

Contact Texas Legislators

Visit our State Action Center to see active campaigns across the country!

State Action Center

Check out the latest hemp and CBD updates from across the states!