TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — On July first of this year, Alabama House Bill 445 went into effect, which strengthens the punishment for people caught with certain hemp products.
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 first 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.
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“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. 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 ten 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.”
Troy University Police Department Chief George Beaudry
TrojanVision spoke to an individual who uses THC products. That person believes that the new law could have the opposite effect.
“I think upgrading the punishment to a felony is extreme. 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, the individual says many users 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. We all kind of have the same mindset of staying out of the way. Jail is never a place anybody wants to go.”
Anonymous THC user
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 says 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. To view House Bill 445 in its entirety, click here. More information about Troy University’s alcohol and illicit drug policies can be found here.
