With Alabama’s new hemp law now in effect, Huntsville officials are working to clarify where specialty hemp retail stores can operate within city limits.

The Huntsville Planning Commission has approved a proposed zoning amendment that would establish where stand-alone specialty consumable hemp retail stores may locate. The proposal now moves to the Huntsville City Council for a public hearing and final consideration on March 26.

Alabama’s new law, which took effect January 1, places regulation of consumable hemp products under the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The law generally allows consumable hemp products to be sold in businesses licensed to sell liquor for off-premises consumption, grocery stores larger than 14,000 square feet, pharmacies, and stand-alone specialty consumable hemp retail stores.

Because stand-alone hemp stores represent a new retail category, Huntsville planners are proposing to treat them similarly to package liquor stores when it comes to zoning.

Under the proposal, specialty hemp retailers operating independently would be limited to certain commercial and industrial zoning districts. They would be required to meet the same distance requirements from neighborhoods, schools and churches as package liquor stores. Spacing requirements would also apply between hemp retailers and other stores licensed to sell consumable hemp products. In some districts, frontage requirements on major roads would also be required.

Hemp products sold inside grocery stores would continue to follow existing requirements for beer and wine sales for off-premises consumption, while pharmacies would follow the zoning rules already applicable to those businesses.

City officials say the proposal does not create new commercial zones or expand where these businesses can operate. Instead, it is intended to ensure consumable hemp retail sales follow clear guidelines already in place for similar regulated products.

Thomas Nunez, Huntsville’s Manager of Planning Services, said the proposal is designed to bring clarity for both business owners and residents while maintaining standards that protect neighborhoods and nearby schools and churches. The proposal now moves to the Huntsville City Council for a public hearing and final consideration on March 26.

Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.