A Deeply Disappointing Update on Pet CBD in Alabama — and It’s Time to Stock Up
As most of you know, I’ve been closely following what has become the CBD situation in Alabama, and I want to share an important update.
After finally speaking directly with someone at the Alabama ABC Board, I learned that starting January 1, 2026, I will no longer be legally allowed to sell CBD within the state of Alabama — and there is no way around it at this time. I cannot sell it in person, nor can I ship it to anyone in the state of Alabama.
The new law, HB 445, requires anyone selling hemp-derived products to obtain a license through the ABC Board. The issue is that there is no license category for pet businesses. That means there is currently no legal pathway for pet wellness companies or retail stores to continue selling CBD products, even when they meet all federal standards and contain less than 0.3% THC. From what I was told, even veterinarians may not be able to purchase or sell CBD once this law takes effect. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
To add to the problem, beginning January 1, 2026, no one can legally have CBD shipped into Alabama. That means both the sender and the recipient could face criminal charges. This will affect every business and every pet parent who relies on these products to support their animals’ well-being.
Attempts to meet with lawmakers and the bill’s sponsor were unsuccessful, and it’s very doubtful that any changes will be made this year. The ABC Board representative confirmed that the intent of the bill was to protect children from accessing dangerous hemp products sold in gas stations. I understand and support that goal, but lawmakers could have and should have taken a more thoughtful approach that didn’t leave responsible small businesses and pet parents without options.
I know firsthand how important CBD can be for dogs with cancer, seizures, or autoimmune disease — as well as for senior pets who depend on it for comfort, mobility, and pain management. To lose the freedom to use something so beneficial, so safe, and so natural for our animals feels deeply wrong.
If your pet relies on CBD and you need to stock up before the first of the year, please reach out to me. I’ll be placing orders through the rest of 2025. It’s hard to say exactly how much to have on hand, but if you can afford it, I’d recommend enough for at least six months to a year — and hopefully something will have changed by then. I can help you determine how much to order and which products will best fit your pet’s needs.
This isn’t over. I plan to continue pushing for change and advocating for an amendment to HB 445 that gives responsible pet businesses a way to legally sell hemp products in the state of Alabama.
This is more than CBD — it’s about fairness, freedom of choice, and access to natural wellness options for our pets. We deserve that right.
If you haven’t already, please sign the petition to show your support. The more signatures we gather, the stronger our voice will be when it’s time for lawmakers to listen.
We are living in a time where those of us who choose natural health — for ourselves, our families, and our animals — are being backed into a corner. But we are not powerless. The more we stand together, the louder our message becomes. We deserve the right to raise our animals naturally — without fear, without restriction, and without losing access to the tools that help them thrive.