CBD store raids and impending AL hemp ban spark 'Smoke Out' on state Capitol steps

OG Article  Written By Sarah Clifton Watch Today's LIVE Episode on YouTube, X, and Rumble

June 30, 2025

When recently-enacted House Bill 445 takes effect, hemp product sales in Alabama will be subject to regulation — prompting some affected individuals to push back.

The "Legal Leaf Movement," sponsored by the Wizard Smoke Shop and the Green Room Dispensary, aims to "protest to protect [their] rights & herbal healing." The "Smoke Out the Capitol" event on June 28 — notably at 4:20 p.m. — is slated to occur at the state Capitol building, with participants consuming hemp on the Capitol steps.

The smoke shop and dispensary intend to provide complimentary pre-rolled hemp cigarettes to the first 50 attendees who bring a letter to state legislators detailing how HB 445 will impact them.

"Join us to inhale freedom and say no to HB 445," an Instagram post by the organizers reads. "HB 445 banned hemp — but it's not illegal yet."

HB 445, which becomes active on July 1, prohibits smokable hemp items and high-potency edibles. Possession or sale of products containing synthetically produced THC — encompassing Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10 — not explicitly permitted by the new legislation will be classified as a felony. Currently, possession of cannabis is a misdemeanor.

State Raids on Alabama CBD Retailers

This protest gathering will follow just days after multiple CBD and vape shops in Troy, Enterprise, Clanton, and Wetumpka were subjected to raids by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Officials stated these operations resulted in the confiscation of substantial quantities of cannabis products and drug paraphernalia.

During a news conference on June 27, ALEA officials asserted that a significant portion of the recovered paraphernalia — gathered as part of a months-long investigation — tested positive for actual cannabis, not hemp, when analyzed in a laboratory.

However, some of the businesses involved in the raids have publicly contended that the operations unfairly portrayed them as engaging in illicit activities prior to the new law's implementation.

Abbey Rice, manager of Smoke 'R' Us in Troy, alleged in a public Facebook post that she felt the raids, occurring a week early, were intentionally carried out to harm these types of establishments.

"It's absurd that you can enact these new laws, but then backtrack, and make us appear like criminals," Rice remarked. "They went across the state of Alabama... 'implying' and 'making accusations' that we are selling narcotics... I'm here to tell you, for us personally, we have all of our lab work, and they didn't even care about the lab work I possessed."

The new statute will stipulate that THC products — which will only be considered lawful if tested and approved by a certified laboratory — can solely be dispensed by licensed retailers. Entry to these establishments will be restricted to individuals aged 21 and older.