The Fairhope Times

Fairhope, Alabama thefairhopetimes.blogspot.com  Proposed ordinance.   NEW ORDINANCE PROPOSED A new city ordinance permitting the sale of consumable hemp products was introduced during the last council meeting; a final vote will be taken at the next meeting.  New state law HB 445 that went into effect last July made hemp sales illegal (ie. "smokable", vaping); all sales ceased in Fairhope then. But beginning on January 1, 2026 the same law allows for "consumable hemp" sales: beverages, topical, edible, and sublingual (under tongue) -- with strict new product testing, packaging, display and other requirements. Municipalities may choose to issue hemp licenses the same as they do for alcohol sales -- through the state ABC Board -- for a $1K license fee.  NEW TAXES TOO If approved, a 10% excise tax on hemp purchases applies, with 90% of that going to the state and 10% to the municipality. Pharmacies, grocery stores, and hemp dispensaries are the eligible retailers men...