MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – When WSFA previously spoke with Douglas Kennedy, HB 445 had passed the Alabama Legislature but still could have been vetoed by Governor Kay Ivey.

Kennedy spoke out at a last-ditch protest urging Ivey to do so. After all, if she didn’t veto the bill, he said that he would lose up to 75% of his business at “The CBD Place” near Atlanta Highway.

Ivey ended up signing HB 445 a few days later, and now that it’s a done deal, Kennedy is one of dozens of store owners that are forced to reshape their business.

HB 445 bans “smokable” THC products completely, but does effectively legalize consumable THC.

The catch? The consumable products must contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC per individual product, and those products must contain no more than 40 milligrams of THC per package.

“I’m going to comply and wait and continue to assist my customers the best I can,” Kennedy said.

When asked if Kennedy would be able to stay in business, he said he is going to keep his doors open, but he doesn’t think it will be sustainable.

Out near Eastchase, “Your CBD Store” won’t be affected as much.

Store manager Laurie Carrington says about 15% of what they sell would violate HB 445; a relatively low number.

Still, Carrington believes the bill went too far, specifically with the limit on the amount of THC per package.

“Some of the packaging has to be changed a little bit, not much, but some of it does and it will come at a cost to our customers,” she warned. “We’ll be legally compliant and adjust, just a little bit of it is overreach.”

Green Room Dispensary near Mulberry Street will be hit hard. Every product in the glass display behind the front counter will soon be gone, alongside many other products they offer.

Owner Troy Blevins is having some tough conversations as she braces for impact.

“I do have layoffs already in place, I’ve notified two of my employees that I can no longer keep,” Blevins explained.

Blevins is just as worried for her patients with chronic pain or other ailments that can no longer get their favorite products. She mentioned that many of them are veterans, seniors, and that some have even been referred to her store from doctors.

Alabama legalized medical marijuana a few years ago, but due to a number of lawsuits regarding the license awarding process, there has been a delay. No Alabamians have yet been able to enroll in the program.

The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2025, however full enforcement will not begin until January 1, 2026.

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