State Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, has filed a bill that would ban hemp-derived THC products like delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 in Alabama.

If passed, SB132 would classify these psychoactive cannabinoids as Schedule I controlled substances, in the same class as LSD or heroin, according to the bill’s text.

In Alabama, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance is a Class D felony, which carries a standard sentence of 366 days to 5 years, according to state code.

Birmingham area law enforcement representatives have shared their support of the bill in recent interviews with WBRC.

“It takes a while for the effects to kick in, they take more and before they know it, they are hallucinating calling 911, having a panic attack, and we come out there with other first responders and have to handle the situation and get them treatment,” Lt. Shane Plyler of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office told the station.

Efforts to reach Melson were not immediately successful.

If passed, the bill would go into effect on Oct. 1.

It is currently pending action in the Senate Committee on Healthcare.

This is one of two cannabinoid related bills Melson has filed this session.

The other, SB72, would take some licensing powers away from the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission and give them to a private entity in an attempt to speed up medical marijuana licensing.

One Huntsville area dispensary owner warns that banning Delta THC products could have worse impacts than allowing people to access them legally.

“With psychoactive cannabinoids being placed back on the Schedule I list, consumers seeking these products may turn to illegal sources,” John Dietz, owner of MountainTop Dispensary, wrote in a recent email to AL.com.

“The legal market would be restricted, creating a vacuum that the black market could easily fill.”

“Without a legal outlet, consumers would have no way to ensure the safety or quality of the products they purchase on the black market,” he continued.

“This could lead to increased health risks associated with untested and potentially dangerous substances.”

He added that the move could also have negative economic impact on the state.

“Legal businesses that have emerged in the psychoactive cannabinoid sector would likely face closure or significant reductions in revenue,” he wrote.

“This would lead to job losses for employees in cultivation, processing, and retail sectors, harming the local economy.”

He added that “the loss of jobs in this sector could have broader economic implications.”

“Local economies depend on the spending power of these businesses and their employees,” he wrote.

“A decline in this market could lead to reduced sales for other local businesses, impacting overall economic health.”

Based in Scottsboro, MountainTop currently operates four stores in the Huntsville area and another location in Auburn.