Boyd secures cannabis organization's backing, outlines strategy to lift hemp prohibition
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Will Boyd has announced a comprehensive strategy, dubbed the "Hybrid Hemp Plan," to reverse Alabama's recent ban on hemp and expand access to cannabis-derived products. This move targets the restrictions on products like smokable hemp, cannabidiol (CBD), and Delta THC items.
Boyd's plan prioritises healing, freedom, and building a future that puts people over restrictive policies. The strategy encompasses a variety of tools at the governor's disposal, including legislative leadership, executive authority, legal action, and grassroots organising.
Key elements of Boyd’s plan include:
- Reversing the state Legislature’s crackdown on hemp products that heavily restricted sales and banned smokable hemp earlier this year.
- Supporting the rights of patients, veterans, small business owners, and families who have been negatively impacted by the ban.
- Leveraging a multi-faceted approach combining policy change, executive powers, legal remedies, and grassroots efforts to effect comprehensive reform.
The Alabama Cannabis Coalition, a major grassroots advocacy group, has endorsed Boyd, praising his willingness to be a "voice of reason" for legal hemp and cannabis access in Alabama. The group has fought tirelessly for patients, veterans, small business owners, and families across the state, often without thanks.
Boyd's plan also includes adjusting THC limits for hemp products and restoring online sales for hemp businesses. He intends to reduce regulatory barriers for hemp businesses and organise a broad coalition of advocates to influence lawmakers and push for reform.
Boyd has been vocal about his opposition to the Alabama House's move, calling it a betrayal of science, small business, and personal freedom. He has expressed gratitude for the endorsement from the Alabama Cannabis Coalition and has pledged to issue pardons for low-level marijuana offenses.
Moreover, Boyd plans to pursue legal challenges modeled after successful lawsuits in Texas, Indiana, and New York. He also plans to push the Legislature to allow citizens to vote directly on cannabis policy through a ballot initiative.
Boyd has vowed to direct state agencies to revise enforcement guidelines for hemp-derived products and supports efforts for expungement and record sealing for marijuana-related offenses.
This announcement follows months of controversy over the Alabama Legislature's crackdown on hemp-derived products. Boyd, the founder of the Alabama Cannabis Coalition, H. Marty Schelper, praised Boyd for his willingness to champion reform and stand up for patients, small businesses, and veterans.
[1] Alabama Cannabis Coalition Endorses Will Boyd for Governor [3] Will Boyd Unveils "Hybrid Hemp Plan" to Reverse Alabama's Hemp Ban
- Will Boyd's "Hybrid Hemp Plan" aims to reverse the Alabama Legislature's restrictions on hemp products, particularly the ban on smokable hemp, CBD, and Delta THC items, by leveraging legislative leadership, executive authority, legal action, and grassroots organizing.
- Boyd's strategy for hemp and cannabis access in Alabama includes adjusting THC limits for hemp products, restoring online sales for hemp businesses, reducing regulatory barriers for hemp businesses, and organizing a broad coalition of advocates to influence lawmakers and push for reform.
- The Alabama Cannabis Coalition, a key advocate for patients, veterans, small businesses, and families, has endorsed Will Boyd's gubernatorial campaign, praising him for his commitment to science, small business, and personal freedom, and his pledge to issue pardons for low-level marijuana offenses.
