The Alabama Cannabis Coalition said there were mixed results during the 2026 Legislative Session, which saw several pieces of cannabis-related legislation fail to pass into law. While some bills would have further restricted the sale and use of hemp-derived products in the state, others could have rolled back the criminalization of cannabis in Alabama.
“The 2026 session made one thing clear—Alabama is still having the conversation, but we are not yet taking action,” the organization said in a press release. “And for the citizens waiting on real reform, that delay has real consequences.”
While the session saw no significant advances in cannabis reform, the ACC noted that multiple bills that could have further criminalized hemp-derived products were also prevented from passing.
Senate Bill 1, sponsored by state Senator April Weaver, R-Brierfield, would have restricted hemp-derived products to pharmacy-only sales and classified certain compounds as Schedule I substances. However, the bill died in the Senate without ever reaching committee.
House Bill 72, sponsored by state Representative Patrick Sellers, D-Birmingham, also failed to move forward in the Senate after passing in the House. The bill would have expanded Alabama’s criminalization of marijuana use, making it a Class A misdemeanor to smoke or vape marijuana in any motor vehicle when a child is present.
“Protecting children should never come at the cost of vague laws that risk overreach,” the organization said of HB72. “We can do both—but we have to do it responsibly.”
Meanwhile, the ACC bemoaned the legislature’s failure to pass House Bill 14, sponsored by Representative Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, and Senate Bill 285, sponsored by Senator Bobby Singleton, D-Birmingham.
HB14 would have established a pathway for citizen-led ballot initiatives, something which Alabama currently lacks, while SB285 would have reduced the criminal penalties for simple possession of marijuana.
“For the fifth year in a row, Alabama had the opportunity to reduce arrests for simple possession—and once again, that opportunity was left on the table,” the ACC said of SB285. “That’s not just policy, that’s people’s lives.”
Given the lack of substantial legislative progress during the session, the coalition is now focused on advocating for pro-cannabis candidates ahead of the May 19 primary elections.
“If lawmakers aren’t hearing from the people, nothing changes,” the organization stated. “The May 19 primary is where voters turn frustration into action—and where this issue can finally move forward.”
“The Alabama Cannabis Coalition is encouraging voters to confirm their registration status and engage candidates across executive, judicial, and legislative races on their positions regarding cannabis and hemp policy,” they added.
The organization’s advocacy comes as hemp retailers across the state continue to suffer under HB445—legislation passed by state lawmakers last year which heightened regulations on hemp products and created prohibitive licensing requirements, leading to widespread business closures.
