Legal changes to hemp products reach campus

On July 1 of this year, Alabama House Bill 445 went into effect. 

The bill restricted certain hemp products from being sold in stores and changed the legality of some items. The bill banned consumable hemp items including all delta-8, delta-9 and delta-10 products. 

Just last year, if a Troy student was caught with a hemp product they would be charged with a misdemeanor and referred to student services. Due to House Bill 445, the rules have changed.  

“If a student has a product with THC loaded in it, possessing that as of July 1 is a felony,” said Troy University Police Department (TUPD) Chief George Beaudry. “If a student were caught with a product with suspected THC in it, we wouldn’t make the arrest immediately. 

“We would take the THC product into possession and send it to the state lab. The lab would run all the appropriate tests.  

If the forensic scientist told us that the THC is at a certain percentage, we would do one of two things. We would either sign a warrant for an arrest, or we would present the case to the grand jury.” 

Beaudry offered one piece of advice to students considering pushing the boundaries. 

“The basic message is don’t possess it,” Beaudry said. “If you choose to possess it, understand that the consequences are going to be a lot more significant now. 

“The sentence for a Class C felony can be up to 10 years and can be $15,000 in fines. I’m not saying that’s going to be the first-time result, but it’s possible.” 

*Thomas Lennis, a senior from Marietta, Georgia, is Troy student who uses THC products. Lennis believes the new law could have the opposite effect. 

“I think upgrading the punishment to a felony is extreme,” Lennis said. “I could see the new punishment drawing people to try THC products.  

“It’s kind of like when your parents told you not to touch the hot stove as a kid. After they told you that, you wanted to go touch the hot stove.  

I could definitely see more people taking the risk of trying THC products with the higher punishment.” 

Even with a potential felony on the line, Lennis says he and his peers aren’t deterred from using THC products. 

“It’s not really something that’s in the forefront of our minds a lot of the time,” Lennis said. “We all kind of have the same mindset of staying out of the way.  

Jail is never a place anybody wants to go.” 

Based on the increased severity of the crime, TUPD is trying to warn students before it’s too late.  

“We’re trying to educate our population,” Beaudry said. “While this may have seemed like a simple offense two months ago, it is not anymore. 

“It is a significant and serious offense based on the laws of the state of Alabama.” 

Even if you’re a first-time offender caught with a THC product, Beaudry said the highest punishment for the crime might still apply. TUPD released an info graphic via social media explaining the new rules regarding hemp products. 

Students are encouraged to look at the new rules and follow them. For more information on House Bill 445, students can visit alison.legislature.state.al.us. 

*Some students’ names have been changed to protect their anonymity.