Fact Check: Alabama's Attorney General declares seized products are not hemp, but marijuana.

Fact Check: Alabama's Attorney General Declares Seized Products Are Not Hemp, But Marijuana

What We Know

On June 23, 2025, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) executed a series of search warrants targeting several CBD specialty stores and vape shops across Alabama. This operation was part of a year-long investigation into the sale of products that allegedly contained illegal levels of THC, exceeding the legal limit of 0.3% Delta-9 THC as defined by Alabama law and the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, also known as the Farm Bill (ALEA).

During a press conference following the operation, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall stated unequivocally, “Let’s make it abundantly clear, this is not hemp, it is marijuana” (Troy Messenger). He emphasized that the products seized were tested and confirmed to contain THC levels that classify them as illegal marijuana, regardless of how they were marketed or labeled (al.com).

The operation resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, with law enforcement officials expressing concerns about the potential risks these products pose to public safety, particularly to children (WVTM Channel 13).

Analysis

The claim that Alabama's Attorney General declared seized products as marijuana rather than hemp is supported by multiple credible sources. The statements made by Attorney General Marshall during the press conference were direct and clear, reinforcing the distinction between legal hemp and illegal marijuana based on THC content. The legal framework in Alabama, which aligns with federal law, defines hemp as containing less than 0.3% THC, and any product exceeding this threshold is classified as marijuana (ALEA, al.com).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include official statements from law enforcement and the Attorney General's Office, which are primary sources of information regarding the operation. Additionally, the coverage from local news outlets like WVTM Channel 13 and Troy Messenger provides further context and corroboration of the events and statements made during the press conference.

Moreover, the operation was described as a response to community complaints and was conducted with the intent to uphold public safety, indicating a serious approach to addressing the issue of illegal THC products being sold under the guise of hemp (ALEA, 1819 News).

Conclusion

The claim that Alabama's Attorney General declared seized products as marijuana rather than hemp is True. The evidence presented through official statements and news reports clearly supports this assertion, highlighting the legal distinctions between hemp and marijuana based on THC content, as well as the actions taken by law enforcement to enforce these laws.

Fact Check: Alabama's Attorney General declares seized products are not hemp, but marijuana.