Delta 8 has grown in popularity since its legalization a few years back. The hemp-derived cannabinoid is nationally renowned for its relaxing, smooth buzz. Even though delta 8 THC is federally legal, some states have still chosen to limit or flat-out criminalize the substance. So, is delta 8 legal in Alabama?
Is Delta 8 Legal in Alabama?
Delta 8 is legal in the state of Alabama, but let’s get into the exact legislation that made all of this possible.
Before Alabama ever even considered decriminalizing hemp-based products, including psychoactive ones like delta 8, the federal government already had this motion in the works. Specifically, the US government signed the Agriculture Improvement Act, or the Farm Bill, in 2018. This legislation decriminalized and legalized hemp and all of its derivatives for production, possession, sale, and consumption—but it also did a lot more than that.
The Farm Bill created a legal distinction between hemp and marijuana. Under federal law, hemp refers to cannabis plants that contain 0.3% THC or less on a dry-weight basis, while marijuana refers to cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC. Although hemp was made legal under the same bill, marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance and is considered strictly illegal at the federal level.
Following the passing of the Farm ill, Alabama signed Senate Bill 225, a piece of legislation amending its own hemp laws to fall in line with federal law. This made hemp, hemp derivatives, and hemp products legal at the state level. So that’s it, right? It’s all nice and good? Not quite. The Alabama delta 8 scene has seen some turbulent days.
At the beginning of 2021, the future of delta 8 in the state of Alabama wasn’t looking so bright. The Alabama Senate passed House Bill 2, which sought to ban tianeptine in the state. The Senate Judiciary Committee later added a controversial amendment that would’ve resulted in compounds like delta 8 and delta 10 being placed on the state’s list of controlled substances. Luckily, however, the House Health Committee rejected the amendment despite the bill’s author requesting it to be tabled and revisited at a later date. Although it’s been a rocky road, delta 8 and other hemp-based variants of THC remain legal in Alabama.
DELTA-8 IN ALABAMA
Shipping Delta 8 Products to & from Alabama
Because delta 8 remains legal to buy, sell, and possess in the state, it is also legal to travel with or place online orders for delta 8 products. As long as your delta 8 products are made from hemp and abide by the Farm Bill’s 0.3% THC cap, cross-border travel or transportation has not been banned by the state.
This is especially lucky for Alabamians looking for an effective way to find safe and legal delta 8. Although delta 8 has hit the United States pretty hard in terms of popularity and availability, the fact that you can get it virtually anywhere doesn’t mean you should. Oftentimes, cannabinoids sold in corner or convenience stores may lack legitimacy, making your delta 8 experience an unsafe one. Thus, it’s always best to browse for delta 8 products from the comfort of your own home.
Not only is it safer to be able to research the company, find third-party lab tests, and read customer reviews; online stores often offer a larger variety of products. That said, however, it’s not exactly impossible to find good quality delta 8 products in the state of Alabama. But there are a few things to look out for to ensure a safe experience; more on that later!
Delta 8 in Alabama
Is delta 8 legal in Alabama? Yes. But that doesn’t mean that the Heart of Dixie grew a liking for pot overnight. We already mentioned that recreational marijuana is strictly prohibited in Alabama. Possession of marijuana for personal use is considered a misdemeanor in the state, and punishable by up to a year in prison and a maximum fine of $6,000. Selling marijuana in any amount is considered a felony and could land you up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $30,000.
Because the possession and sale of marijuana are so strictly punishable, it seems that hemp-derived compounds are Alabamians’ only way to reap the buzzy benefits of cannabis. We previously stated that buying delta 8 online is always your best bet, but that doesn’t mean that finding good delta 8 in Alabama is straight-up impossible. As a matter of fact, finding high-quality and safe hemp-derived cannabinoids in Alabama isn’t that hard—if you know what you’re looking for.
Things to Consider When Buying Delta 8 in Alabama
Delta 8 isn’t regulated by the FDA, which means that there are no guidelines to follow when it comes to the safety and quality of producing hemp-derived delta 8. This is why it’s important to take your time researching and evaluating whether a producer or retailer is to be trusted. But what kind of things should you be looking out for, and how do you know your products are safe to consume?
Go Organic
Industrial hemp is the basis of all the best delta 8 products. As we mentioned, legal delta 8 must be derived from hemp, not marijuana, but that's not the only factor to consider.
As a plant, hemp is renowned for its ability to absorb both nutrients and toxins from its surroundings. If you want to ensure your delta 8 products contain no contaminants, it's always best to use organic, non-GMO hemp grown in the United States. Look into the origins of your products. If the growers use pesticides or other carcinogens, you'll want to look elsewhere for your delta 8 fix.
Understand Extraction Methods
To separate delta 8 compound from the rest of the raw plant material, industrial hemp must undergo a series of extraction methods. CO2 extraction is the gold standard. As well as being among the most expensive, which demonstrates a manufacturer's determination to ensure safety at any cost, it also uses no chemicals or solvents, making it the cleanest extraction method.
Pressurized carbon dioxide is used in CO2 extractions. As CO2 becomes liquid at high pressures, it is able to extract delta 8 and other cannabinoids from the hemp plant. Upon removing the pressure, CO2 returns to its gaseous state, leaving only the desired compounds behind.
Steer Clear from Bleach
There is no such thing as a fully transparent natural hemp distillate. Some distillate manufacturers bleach their products to make them look cleaner and better, but real concentrates and oils are usually yellowish or pinkish in color. If you spot a cart that is completely clear, walk away.
When it comes to delta 8 products, it's advisable to steer clear of bleaching since it can add unnecessary and harmful chemicals to your product.
Look Out for Lab Reports
The delta 8 market is not regulated, so manufacturers are not required to test their products before selling them. The availability of lab results is often a good sign of a company's transparency and commitment to safety.
When buying delta 8, third-party lab testing is irreplaceable. Delta 8 products undergo these analyses to determine their potency and check for contaminants. Before putting any product into your body, you should know exactly what's in it, not rely on its advertisement.
Alabama Cannabis Market Grows with Delta 8 & Medical Marijuana
Outside of the federally legal hemp-based products, the world of cannabis has also seen tremendous progress on the medical marijuana front. Across the country, 39 states have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, and Alabama is one of them.
Even though the state very recently welcomed its first steps in medical marijuana legalization, we still have a few years to go before this can become reality—and even when it does, medicinal cannabis will be substantially more complicated to obtain than hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta 8.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Laws
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) was established under Senate Bill 46 during the 2021 legislative session. It consists of fourteen board members equipped with expertise in a variety of fields, including medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, law enforcement, and mental health. The Alabama Legislature has authorized the production of medical cannabis by licensed growers, processors, and distributors. The AMCC, however, says the earliest the program could be available is late 2023.
So, when it becomes available, how can patients get medical cannabis?
Physicians in Alabama have the option of joining the medical cannabis program. A person who wants medical cannabis must be a recurring patient for that specific physician, who will then have to diagnose the patient with a qualifying condition. Additionally, the physician will have to submit a physical exam, documentation that conventional treatments have not worked, and a treatment plan. The patient will have to sign a consent form to enter a patient registry and obtain a medical cannabis card, which could cost up to $65. Patients will only be allowed to buy cannabis at licensed dispensaries.
The law allows medical cannabis treatment for the following qualifying conditions:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Cancer-related chronic pain, nausea, and weight or muscle loss
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Chron’s Disease
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Depression
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Epilepsy or other seizure-inducing conditions
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HIV/Aids-related nausea or weight loss
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Panic Disorder
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Parkinson’s Disease
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Persistent nausea
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Sickle Cell Anemia
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or spinal cord injury-related spasticity
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A terminal illness
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Tourette’s Syndrome
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A condition causing chronic or intractable pain
One interesting thing is that the law specifically forbids smoking medical cannabis or using it in edibles. Medical cannabis will be offered, however, in the form of:
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Tablets
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Capsules
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Gelatins
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Oil
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Gels
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Creams
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Suppositories
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Transdermal patches
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Inhalable oils
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Liquids
Most patients will be allowed up to 50 mg of legal cannabis a day. After the three-month mark, a physician will be allowed to bump the dosage to 75 mg. For terminal illness patients, there will be no caps on dosage. Additionally, patients under the age of 18 will be limited to low-THC cannabis products.
Alabama Medical Cannabis vs. Delta 8
Although Alabama has taken the right steps towards creating an effective way for its patients to reap the benefits of cannabis, it may be some time before this is a reality in the Heart of Dixie. Even when it does become reality, however, medicinal cannabis may be hard to get for those who don’t qualify or can’t afford a medical cannabis card.
Because delta 8 is so similar to psychoactive compounds derived from marijuana, those wishing to use marijuana for medical purposes may benefit from delta 8’s widespread popularity. After all, scientists agree delta 8 has the same effects as delta 9, albeit to a lesser extent.
Where to Find Delta 8 in Alabama
Now that you’ve learned all about delta 8—and the delta 8 Alabama scene—you’re probably wondering where to get delta 8 in the state. Below are some of the best delta 8 plugs across Alabama!
Huntsville – The Green Lady CBD Dispensary – 4.9 Stars
With very knowledgeable and friendly staff, great prices, and an amazing location, the Green Lady offers novelty cannabinoids. The family-owned and operated store seeks to prove an “alternative, natural way of healing without using industrialized pharmaceuticals.”
Montgomery – CBDivine – 5.0 Stars
With excellent customer service and a wide variety of cannabinoids, this store offers everything you might need from vapes and carts to topicals and tinctures. Their glowing reviews call CBDivine “the best place to shop for delta 8” in Montgomery!
Birmingham – Magic City Organics – 5.0 Stars
This women-owned hemp dispensary offers everything from delta 8 and delta 9 to CBD. With a relaxing, inviting atmosphere and kind, knowledgeable staff, Magic City will truly feel like a magical hemp experience.
Are All Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids Legal in Alabama?
If you’re into hemp-derived cannabinoids apart from delta 8, we’ve got great news for you! As long as these compounds are derived from hemp and abide by the 0.3% THC cap set by the federal Farm Bill, cannabinoids like delta 10, delta 9, HHC, and many more are 100% legal to use, possess, sell, and buy in the Heart of Dixie!
Is Delta 8 Legal in Alabama: Final Thoughts
Delta 8 is an incredibly popular cannabinoid that’s taken the country by storm ever since its legalization in 2018. Still, some states have decided to criminalize or prohibit the compound. So, is delta 8 legal in Alabama?
The answer is yes, delta 8 is legal in Alabama. Whether you source your products from in-person stores or online shops, it’s crucial to consider the safety, quality, and legitimacy of your products.
