Moore’s Healthy Living Faces Closure Due to New Alabama Law

Diane Moore opened Moore’s Healthy Living in Clanton, Alabama in 2019, primarily selling CBD oil products. Initially, her business struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic, but she managed to persevere. As the market expanded with hemp-based products, she diversified her offerings to include everything from smokeable hemp to edible gummies.

However, her entrepreneurial journey took a downward turn this summer with the passing of Alabama House Bill 445.

Signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey in May, HB445 included a complete ban on smokable products and online sales for consumers. Additionally, it imposed strict limits on the permissible THC levels in consumables.

When these regulations went into effect on July 1, it became clear to Moore that her business wouldn’t survive.

“We felt the impact immediately. Soon we couldn’t sell our existing products, and some items that might still be legal were left on the shelves,” Moore shared in a recent phone conversation.

She went on to explain that the swift timeline from the law’s passage to its enforcement created confusion among retailers. It also left them scrambling to adapt in time to keep their businesses afloat.

“We thought we’d have until January, but were told we had to comply by July 1. It was unreal,” she said, noting that her rent was already paid through the end of July.

For Moore, shutting down her store meant not just losing a business but also her home.

After a change in her living circumstances, she had moved into the back of her shop in 2022, and her son joined her after falling seriously ill in 2023. Now, they find themselves without a place to live.

“My son was very sick this past February, and went through numerous emergency visits. He lost his job and insurance, which is why he moved in with me,” Moore recounted. “We were just trying to manage our bills and provide service, but this bill has taken everything away from us.”

Beyond her personal loss, Moore expressed disappointment over the impact on the community she felt she was helping.

“People were learning about cannabis and its uses through us, helping in ways beyond just selling products,” she said. “I used to sit down and ask customers what issues they were looking to address, and we’d discuss how we could help.”

Now, with the new law, Moore feels there’s no path forward for her business. Despite her passion for aiding others through CBD and hemp, she’s wary of the uncertain future of the cannabis industry in Alabama.

“I want to keep promoting cannabis, but I’m scared to re-enter this space. It’s beneficial for many people, but the law is unpredictable,” she said.

When asked what she would say to lawmakers responsible for HB445, Moore expressed her frustration.

“They’re unaware of how beneficial cannabis can be and how it’s never harmed anyone. It doesn’t have detrimental effects like other substances. If they truly understood its value, I doubt they’d restrict access,” she added.

Moore believes hemp products should be treated similarly to alcohol. “It breaks my heart that people are denied access. I feel like this should be available to those who choose to use it responsibly, as long as they follow societal regulations,” she noted.