Foley City Council To Consider Hemp Sales Ordinance Changes

John Mullen • May 18, 2026

The city will discuss adding rules for hemp-derived consumable products during its May 18 joint meeting.

Foley City Hall

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Foley will be looking at making an ordinance change to add language about selling hemp products in the city. This would include areas in the city’s police jurisdiction and would include the sale of derivatives from hemp plants for consumption.

 

The Foley City Council will meet in a joint regular-work session on May 18 at 4 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall to discuss the ordinance.

 

“A finished product that is intended for human or animal consumption and that contains any part of the hemp plant or any compound, concentrate, extract, isolate, or resin derived from hemp. The term includes, but is not limited to, products that contain cannabinoids,” the resolution states. “The term does not include seeds or seed-derived ingredients that are generally recognized as safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration.”

 

Excluded from the proposed ordinance are smokable products and synthetic cannabinoid products.

 

During the joint regular/work session, the council will also discuss:

 

  •  A police department report from April shows that 248 inmates were processed through the city jail, bringing the year-to-date total to 992. Crimes reported include 17 for simple assault, domestic violence, and 11 for shoplifting. There were 34 arrests for controlled substances, 14 arrests for misdemeanor marijuana possession, and 10 arrests for possessing drug paraphernalia. Officers were called 2,601 times in April.
  • A report showing Foley collected $3.7 million in sales tax in April, or about $300,000 more than budget projections and $266,000 above April 2025 collections. Foley collected $269,180 in lodging taxes in April, or about $10,000 below budget projections and about $9,000 above 2025 collections.
  • A report from the fire department’s April activity shows crews assisted invalids 40 times, responded to 26 traffic collisions, answered fire alarms 21 times, and 14 times for hazardous materials after a traffic crash. Crews were called out and canceled en route 25 times.
  • A report showing that Foley paid $9.6 million for goods and services in April.
  • Approving a June 21 retirement. No other information was provided in the agenda.
  • Approving the use of Heritage Park for the Foley High School wrestling team for a dual meet on Nov. 17.
  • Setting a public hearing to declare weeds and trash at 406 E. Myrtle Ave., 3915 Linton Lane, 618 E. Azelea Ave., and S. Hickory St. at Crownwalk Subdivision as public nuisances and order cleanups at the property.
  • A change order to add $19,000 to the sidewalk project on State Route 59 from East Orchid Avenue to East Section Avenue to pave a ditch with a steep slope “needed to ensure the integrity of the project.”
  • Making changes to the city’s pay classification plan.
  • Spending $60,000 to replace parts in the fuel tank at the airport “to ensure that fuel is not contaminated when dispensed into aircraft.”
  • Amending the budget to add $37,400 to make plans for the city’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
  • Voting for a four-way stop at the intersection of North Poplar Street and East Section Avenue.
  • Paying $42,321 to Riviera Utilities to provide power to the city’s new first-responder safe room.
  • Transferring $9,000 between categories in the Environmental budget to cover “additional staff time that was not expected.”
  • Accepting a $3,000 Dollar General Summer Reading Grant.
  • Awarded bids in April to PL Russell for $939,049 for sidewalk improvements along State Route 59 to East Azalea Avenue to Pride Drive and to RH Deas Building for $249,971 for improvements to Holk Field at the Foley Municipal Airport. Two other bids, one for the Municipal Complex master plan and the one for architecture and engineering for the Foley Senior Center, are both still under further review.
  • Soliciting architectural and engineering firms to develop Fire Station No. 4 for the fire department.
  • Going to bid on and buy an EV four-wheel-drive pickup truck for the police department. The city budgeted $696,000 for nine Ford interceptors and, with the remaining $128,228, would like to buy the EV truck, according to a memo from Carley Hester.


Share this article w/ Friends...

West Marine on Canal Road in Orange Beach
By OBA Staff July 2, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — An Orange Beach commercial property sold for $3.2 million, and West Marine will remain open under new ownership. The deal included a 13,600-square-foot building on Canal Road in Orange Beach, Alabama. Real estate agent Heather Harp represented the buyer. The sale is considered one of the m
Scammers target Shrimp Festival Vendors
By OBA Staff July 2, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Organizers of the National Shrimp Festival are warning the public about a scam targeting prospective vendors. Fraudulent emails are circulating, claiming to offer vendor opportunities for the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival. Officials say scammers are impersonating the event to deceive
2026 Great American Mailbox Challenge - First Place - Sandra Sharpless
By OBA Staff July 2, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach Garden Club and the City of Orange Beach have announced the winners of the inaugural Great American Mailbox Challenge. The contest invited residents to decorate their mailboxes in honor of the United States and its upcoming 250th birthday. The event was designed to raise a
Downtown Foley
By OBA Staff July 1, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Main Street held its biannual "Idea Exchange" meeting, drawing elected officials, board members, volunteers, and local entrepreneurs to downtown Foley, Alabama. Led by Executive Director Wes Abrams, the event celebrated new funding, new technology tools, and a wave of new businesses. The gat
South Baldwin County Cities Adjust Schedules for Independence Day Weekend
By OBA Staff July 1, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — City governments across South Baldwin County have announced holiday schedules for the Independence Day weekend. Residents in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Foley will experience temporary changes to office hours and select city services. Emergency operations will continue as applicable.
Orange Beach City Hall
By OBA Staff June 30, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The Orange Beach City Council held a special-called meeting Monday to consider pursuing the purchase of a local RV park property. The council heard a financial presentation from City Administrator Ford Hanley before voting on a resolution. A motion to authorize an independent appraisal ult
Double Red Flags
By OBA Staff June 30, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — High surf and dangerous rip currents have made this an unusually active season for beach rescue teams along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Lifeguards in Orange Beach have already responded to numerous water rescues as summer gets underway. Heavy crowds at the beaches have encountered hazardous wa
Gulf Shores Police Cruiser
By OBA Staff June 30, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — A woman from Oklahoma died after falling from a moving vehicle in Gulf Shores, and police are continuing to investigate. Officers said the woman was a passenger when the incident occurred. Emergency responders found her with life-threatening injuries shortly after. Investigators are now ask
Things to do on the Gulf Coast this week
By Jessica A. Taylor June 29, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The first week of July has officially arrived, and if there were ever a time to fall in love with the Alabama lineup, it is bursting at the seams with hometown charm, unforgettable adventures, delicious bites, and enough patriotic spirit to paint the shoreline red, white, and blue—whether
Gulf Shores High School - Photo from Dr. Matt Akin
By OBA Staff June 29, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The new Gulf Shores High School is open and already welcoming visitors, even as crews continue moving furniture into the building. School officials said the campus is not yet finished, but significant progress has been made. The facility has already hosted major educational conferences desp
Show More