But, if you are shopping for delta-9 THC in Alabama, you should know a few things beforehand. Here, we detail the specifics of this hemp-derived cannabinoid, including the state's official definition and how this language translates into
buying delta-9 THC products. Before you buy a tasty delta-9 gummy or delta-9 drink, get the delta-9 debrief.
TLDR: All hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-9, are legal in Alabama.
But, if we take a moment to step back, there are a few specific conditions you'll want to keep in mind as you shop for delta-9 in Alabama:
- First, hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-9, are legal as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
- Second, these products are for adult use only. You must be at least 21 to buy, share, and enjoy.
- Third–and this is mainly a concern for manufacturers–all hemp-derived products must come in child-proof packaging.
How Is Delta-9 Legal in Alabama?
Considering Alabama is one of the few remaining states that still prohibit marijuana (defined as products with over 0.3 percent THC), how is it that delta-9 is legal in the state?
It all started with the passage of the federal 2018 Farm Bill. This bill removed hemp and hemp derivatives like CBD, delta-9, delta-8, and others, from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This legislative upgrade established a foundation for the enjoyment of hemp products nationwide.
The Farm Bill was also responsible for writing the legal definition of hemp vs. marijuana. Although both plants are botanically cannabis, from a legal standpoint, hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Marijuana is everything over this threshold. Although delta-9 is something historically associated with marijuana-type plants, hemp-derived delta-9 delivers the same effects, just in a fully compliant format.
But on with Alabama's delta-9 story. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, Alabama regulators were then tasked with tackling the state's hemp regulations to align with the new federal rules.
This meant state regulators opened the Code of Alabama for review. By 2019, they had established a new framework for hemp, and legislators passed SB 225. They descheduled hemp-derived THC and specifically modified AL Code 2-8-381 to establish a regulatory framework.
"The plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, cultivated or possessed by a licensed grower 9; otherwise in accordance with the state's USDA-approved regulatory plan, whether growing or not, with a delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis."
Can You Buy Delta-9 Products in Alabama?