Alabama Woman Jailed for 2 Months for Using CBD Oil While Pregnant – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

In one Alabama county, women who admit to using marijuana during pregnancy often find themselves charged with a felony. Etowah County—in northeastern Alabama—charges more women with “chemical endangerment” than any other county in the state. Until recently, these women were often only granted release from jail on the condition that they enter rehab, despite not being addicted to drugs.

In 2006, Alabama enacted a “chemical endangerment” law designed to punish parents who allow their children near meth labs. However, in the years since the law’s passage, Etowah County law enforcement officials have used it to throw women in jail for months over minor drug offenses.

Women who aren’t even addicted to drugs have often found themselves trapped in jail, unable to be released unless they go to rehab yet denied entry by drug treatment facilities because of their lack of addiction.

Amanda Bradley was arrested in 2021 after she tested positive for THC after giving birth. Bradley says she had been using CBD oil to cope with chronic pain and had no idea the oil could cause a positive drug test.

“The CBD oil they sold at the store, I didn’t know it would make me fail for marijuana,” Bradley told AL.com. “It seemed like a natural, safe option. That’s why I did it. I didn’t know you could get in trouble for stuff you bought from the store.” 

Bradley couldn’t be released unless she entered a rehab facility. But Bradley’s CBD oil use didn’t count as drug…