Hoover quadruples hemp store licensing fee under ‘stringent’ new rules
“To me, the city of Hoover is acting as if it’s all about money," said the owner of Sunmed CBD store.
Ethan Parker 
The Hoover City Council has officially tightened its grip on local hemp retailers, passing a series of ordinances that introduce more stringent zoning requirements and a significant hike in business licensing costs.
Rising Costs and New Regulations
Business owners in the city are now facing a fourfold increase in licensing fees, which jumped from $500 to $2,000 for establishments selling consumable hemp products. This move follows earlier actions taken by the council, which included a temporary moratorium and the implementation of specific distance and operating requirements for hemp-focused retailers.
Previously, shops selling CBD or hemp goods were classified under general retail guidelines. Under the new framework, the city has created a specialized use classification, requiring these businesses to navigate more complex regulatory waters.
Pushback from Business Owners
Local entrepreneurs, including Lisa Autry of the Sunmed CBD store, are sounding the alarm on the financial impact of these changes. Autry, who has operated in the city for seven years, blasted the fee hike as both "punitive" and "absurd."
"To me, the city of Hoover is acting as if it’s all about money," Autry said. "Worry about fixing the roads. Out of all the stuff that they’re dealing with, it blows my mind that they would target us because we’re a hemp industry."
BJ Autry, co-owner of the same storefront, noted that with the state already charging a $1,000 licensing fee, total costs are mounting rapidly. "That’s $3,000 a year before you even get started," he said, adding that current state regulations already make it difficult to sell products that were previously available.
Justification for the Fees
City Council Member Khristi Driver defended the increase during the May 26 council meeting, stating that the additional revenue is necessary to cover the costs of heightened enforcement and monitoring. "There are additional responsibilities that go along with monitoring and enforcing this type of use," she explained.
City Attorney Charlie Waldrep noted that the ordinances were designed to align with state-level mandates passed in 2025. Those state rules, stemming from legislation that imposed strict limits on hemp products, placed retailers under the purview of the Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board.
While local officials like Driver and Council President Casey Middlebrooks declined to provide further comment to 205focus.com, the conversation is expected to continue. The next Hoover City Council meeting is scheduled for June 8 at 6 p.m.
