Alabama House committee approves hemp product regulations despite opposition
Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, walks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 13, 2024. An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a bill sponsored by Whitt to regulate hemp products. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a bill that would impose new regulations on consumable hemp products amid concerns over youth access and a lack of oversight of the products.
HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, would give the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board authority to license and regulate the manufacturing, distribution and retail sale of hemp-derived consumables and banning their sale to anyone under 21.
Whitt said that there were 'recent developments' that made the bill more urgent and read a press release from Herbal Oasis, a company that produces hemp-derived products that planned to expand to Alabama, saying 'their product will be in convenience stores, grocery stores and other locations throughout Alabama and Florida Panhandle, starting in late March.'
'This is exactly what we discussed last week that we were trying to do, was stop this product being served in such a manner,' Whitt said.
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In a public hearing Wednesday, opponents of the bill said that there was a lack of data for what Carmelo Parasiliti, founder and CEO of Green Acres Organic Pharms in Florence, referred to as a lawmakers' 'hysteria,' and that data from the Alabama Poison Information Center suggests it is currently affecting less than .1% of children in Alabama. Opponents also suggested a study commission to develop 'evidence-based policy' on cannabis regulation.
Under the proposed law, consumable hemp products could only be sold in regulated, 21-and-over retail environments — either standalone hemp product stores or existing off-premise liquor stores approved by local authorities.
The bill sets a five-milligram THC limit per serving and prohibits marketing or packaging that appeals to minors. It also bans vending machines and self-serve displays for such products.
'We do have some bad activities that are our problems,' Whitt said, referencing children's snacks being used to market these products, but he did not reference evidence supporting the claim. 'You'll not see the Doritos, the Airheads and things like that that are strictly marketed for our kids.'
The bill also creates civil and criminal penalties, such as fines starting at $1,000 for exceeding allowed THC percentages or a Class C misdemeanor, with punishments of up to 30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine, for failing to keep records like invoices for inspection, an excise tax, and a dedicated compliance fund. It would repeal an existing law that currently allows the sale of psychoactive cannabinoids to adults.
Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, said he did not oppose the bill but wanted to study the matter further.
'What I would encourage is that we look at… an economic impact study and maybe a task force… so that way we actually know the facts.'
The bill passed by voice vote and now moves to the full House for consideration.
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12 Best Spots for Lunch in Greenville, South Carolina
View as Map One of the cheeriest towns in the Carolinas is a great place for lunch; Main Street alone boasts dozens of sidewalk cafes. Downtown Greenville is chock-full of businesses, offices, condos, and apartments, creating a vibrant midday scene, and many patios are dog-friendly. For especially easy parking, the historic neighborhoods flanking the central business district offer options worth seeking out, from fried chicken to gyro, cheesesteaks to soup, salads to tacos. Read More Just behind Stone Avenue is a convenience store that the North Main neighborhood fervently supports. The Drop-In Store offers one of everything, but during the week at lunchtime, chef Maria Gomes prepares Goan dishes, including curry and feijoada, as well as burgers, butter chicken wraps, and chicken chili enchiladas. There are two types of tacos too, including a shrimp variety made with South Carolina shrimp. Half the neighborhood will be there, and that's half the fun. There are at least seven tables if you want to bring a laptop and work too. Harry's Hoagies draws a lunch crowd to the Historic Overbrook neighborhood. Built on seeded hoagie rolls from Liscio's Bakery in New Jersey, a menu of inventive sandwiches has captured Greenville's fancy,, such as the MAP, featuring fried mozzarella, arugula salad, marinated cantaloupe, and prosciutto. The husband-and-wife team of Michelle Pavlakos and Andrew Fallis pulled over their cheesesteak concept, Mike's, from the outdoor food hall Gather, making a stop at Harry's extra warm and inviting. Notably, Scout's Doughnuts resides in the same strip center. The marquee location of Willy Taco in Midtown has its own stop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail extension. Restaurant designer Sandra Cannon reimagined the 1930s Feed and Seed store into a 200-person restaurant, and it offers comfortable seating for groups inside, as well as outdoors on covered porches and decks. 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Sully's is an easy spot for kids, with offerings like a simple turkey bagel, PB&J, and a pizza variety. The Jones Oyster Co. does not take reservations, and its small, but well-designed dining room has quickly become a top spot for lunch. Chowder and chargrilled oysters stand out on the menu, and fresh oysters are exceptionally clean and cut nicely off the shell. A smoked fish dip app is delicious, and the wine-by-the-glass list is interesting, especially for white wine. In a fun nod, chef Brant Teske puts Hellmann's mayo on the lobster roll but Duke's mayo on his po-boy. The hush puppies feel more akin to fried corn fritters. Sign up for our newsletter. Global ingredients are the push at Latin fusion cafe Asada. Features at the counter service restaurant include choclo tacos, burger arepas, okonomiyaki, and lomo saltado poutine, but lots of regulars show up for carne asada tacos with perfectly seasoned pico de gallo. Owner Gina Petti grew up on the West Coast to Italian and Japanese parents. Her upbringing is reflected in the beverage menu, which features sangria, hibiscus tea, local beer, wine, and sake. Bright paintings in the dining room are by Petti's husband, Roberto Cortez, who was a gifted artist. Ali Saifi opened Pomegranate on Main to share what he calls the spirit of Iranian hospitality with Greenville, his adopted hometown. The bistro on South Main Street, with its lovely, tiled courtyard, offers open-flame kabobs, wraps on freshly baked flatbread, and dips like the smoky mirza ghasemi, featuring roasted eggplant, tomato, and garlic. In the winter, fresenjan, a pomegranate and walnut stew, satisfies, and entree salads feel complete with diced vegetables, lentils, raisins, chopped mint, and a cumin lime dressing. Though open for breakfast, it's lunch Monday through Friday that folks line up for at OJ's Diner. Olin Johnson set out to reinvent Southern soul food with whole foods. Daily specials tend to sell out, especially the fried chicken and sauced ribs on Fridays. Table service is warm and efficient; it's possible to drown in the amount of tea served. Cobbler is made in-house and changes seasonally. Stewed greens and fried okra are notable side dishes. A slice of life gathers in the dining room over biscuits and cornbread. It's funny to call Jasmine Kitchen a social enterprise cafe because it's so darn cheery, replete with a floral mural by notable Greenville artist Jean Wilson Freeman, but its mission is clear: to raise money and train area women who have survived abuse, human trafficking, and addiction creating a path to sustained employment. Open Monday through Friday for lunch, the counter-service restaurant produces excellent soups, sandwiches, and salads along with old-school pound cake that's worth ordering. The 105-year-old converted yellow cottage also has a lot for off-street parking. Opened in 1988 by Zuhair, Ziad, and Nazih Namouz, Pita House is a Greenville staple and conveniently located across from Greenville Tech and next to the coffee-to-beer spot Grateful Brew. Famously cash only, the restaurant/grocery store is now run by the next generation of Namouzs, Wael and Hani. Known for house-made pita and a case full of Middle Eastern desserts, lunch here is a real treat with a line that moves along quickly. Falafel and gyro plates are best sellers, but consider the Jerusalem salad with the addition of sliced feta. For fans of In-N-Out, Hip Burger offers a similar style of burgers and fries, but local to the Greenville area. The restaurant started as a food truck and quickly gained a cult following. It opened a brick-and-mortar store in Mauldin (between Greenville and Simpsonville) and then a second shop in Anderson. The Hip Sauce alone is worth the drive to either location, and the chicken nuggets might be as craveable as the burgers. The food truck is available for catered parties and also appears at local events. © 2025 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Link copied to the clipboard. Just behind Stone Avenue is a convenience store that the North Main neighborhood fervently supports. The Drop-In Store offers one of everything, but during the week at lunchtime, chef Maria Gomes prepares Goan dishes, including curry and feijoada, as well as burgers, butter chicken wraps, and chicken chili enchiladas. There are two types of tacos too, including a shrimp variety made with South Carolina shrimp. Half the neighborhood will be there, and that's half the fun. There are at least seven tables if you want to bring a laptop and work too. Harry's Hoagies draws a lunch crowd to the Historic Overbrook neighborhood. Built on seeded hoagie rolls from Liscio's Bakery in New Jersey, a menu of inventive sandwiches has captured Greenville's fancy,, such as the MAP, featuring fried mozzarella, arugula salad, marinated cantaloupe, and prosciutto. The husband-and-wife team of Michelle Pavlakos and Andrew Fallis pulled over their cheesesteak concept, Mike's, from the outdoor food hall Gather, making a stop at Harry's extra warm and inviting. Notably, Scout's Doughnuts resides in the same strip center. The marquee location of Willy Taco in Midtown has its own stop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail extension. Restaurant designer Sandra Cannon reimagined the 1930s Feed and Seed store into a 200-person restaurant, and it offers comfortable seating for groups inside, as well as outdoors on covered porches and decks. The blackened salmon taco is notable, and the Mexican smash burger offers a double patty loaded with gooey toppings. A fried avocado taco is a fun order for vegetarians. Hand-blended patties of certified choice chuck and smoked pork belly make a burger at Windy City feel special, and the freshly baked brioche buns are appropriately pillowy. The kitchen generously tops the fries with garlic and Parmesan. Though the space is tight — there might be three tables inside and two more on the sidewalk — the friendly, efficient service keeps locals coming back. The restaurant is tucked just behind Main Street on Coffee Street. Open in Google Maps Foursquare A steamed bagel sandwich from the original Sully's on Main Street is a Greenville institution, and every oozy combination is available from open until close (notably 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday). The Nacho Maximus, with its half bag of Doritos shoved inside, makes a great lunch. It's a smart call to keep the sandwich bagel wrapped because it will drip down your arm. Sully's is an easy spot for kids, with offerings like a simple turkey bagel, PB&J, and a pizza variety. Open in Google Maps Foursquare The Jones Oyster Co. does not take reservations, and its small, but well-designed dining room has quickly become a top spot for lunch. Chowder and chargrilled oysters stand out on the menu, and fresh oysters are exceptionally clean and cut nicely off the shell. A smoked fish dip app is delicious, and the wine-by-the-glass list is interesting, especially for white wine. In a fun nod, chef Brant Teske puts Hellmann's mayo on the lobster roll but Duke's mayo on his po-boy. The hush puppies feel more akin to fried corn fritters. Global ingredients are the push at Latin fusion cafe Asada. Features at the counter service restaurant include choclo tacos, burger arepas, okonomiyaki, and lomo saltado poutine, but lots of regulars show up for carne asada tacos with perfectly seasoned pico de gallo. Owner Gina Petti grew up on the West Coast to Italian and Japanese parents. Her upbringing is reflected in the beverage menu, which features sangria, hibiscus tea, local beer, wine, and sake. Bright paintings in the dining room are by Petti's husband, Roberto Cortez, who was a gifted artist. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Ali Saifi opened Pomegranate on Main to share what he calls the spirit of Iranian hospitality with Greenville, his adopted hometown. The bistro on South Main Street, with its lovely, tiled courtyard, offers open-flame kabobs, wraps on freshly baked flatbread, and dips like the smoky mirza ghasemi, featuring roasted eggplant, tomato, and garlic. In the winter, fresenjan, a pomegranate and walnut stew, satisfies, and entree salads feel complete with diced vegetables, lentils, raisins, chopped mint, and a cumin lime dressing. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Though open for breakfast, it's lunch Monday through Friday that folks line up for at OJ's Diner. Olin Johnson set out to reinvent Southern soul food with whole foods. Daily specials tend to sell out, especially the fried chicken and sauced ribs on Fridays. Table service is warm and efficient; it's possible to drown in the amount of tea served. Cobbler is made in-house and changes seasonally. Stewed greens and fried okra are notable side dishes. A slice of life gathers in the dining room over biscuits and cornbread. Open in Google Maps Foursquare It's funny to call Jasmine Kitchen a social enterprise cafe because it's so darn cheery, replete with a floral mural by notable Greenville artist Jean Wilson Freeman, but its mission is clear: to raise money and train area women who have survived abuse, human trafficking, and addiction creating a path to sustained employment. Open Monday through Friday for lunch, the counter-service restaurant produces excellent soups, sandwiches, and salads along with old-school pound cake that's worth ordering. The 105-year-old converted yellow cottage also has a lot for off-street parking. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Opened in 1988 by Zuhair, Ziad, and Nazih Namouz, Pita House is a Greenville staple and conveniently located across from Greenville Tech and next to the coffee-to-beer spot Grateful Brew. Famously cash only, the restaurant/grocery store is now run by the next generation of Namouzs, Wael and Hani. Known for house-made pita and a case full of Middle Eastern desserts, lunch here is a real treat with a line that moves along quickly. Falafel and gyro plates are best sellers, but consider the Jerusalem salad with the addition of sliced feta. Open in Google Maps Foursquare For fans of In-N-Out, Hip Burger offers a similar style of burgers and fries, but local to the Greenville area. The restaurant started as a food truck and quickly gained a cult following. It opened a brick-and-mortar store in Mauldin (between Greenville and Simpsonville) and then a second shop in Anderson. The Hip Sauce alone is worth the drive to either location, and the chicken nuggets might be as craveable as the burgers. The food truck is available for catered parties and also appears at local events. Open in Google Maps Foursquare
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