Andalusia business may lose its license to operate after law enforcement officials seized suspected illegal substances after they executed the search warrant this week.


It was reported that the Andalusia City Council has set in motion the procedure to possibly cancel the business license of Mellow Haze, a retail store that is located in 1102 Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway licensed by the state to offer tobacco and vape products. As per the city’s rules concerning revoking business licenses the council has scheduled an open hearing to be held at its next meeting on Tuesday, November. 7 at 6 p.m. In that meeting representatives of the company can address the council as they would like. After the hearing, council can then decide to remove the license.


“The evidence to hand is the fact that these people conducted transactions that were unlawful,” Mayor Earl Johnson stated. “Reports show that the substances inside the shop were marijuana. There was also evidence of illegal substances and the activities that took place in the shop that were not permitted by the license for business issued. State law gives us the power to suspend or terminate a business license after an inquiry.”


Officials also said that the company was an LLC however there are no records for an LLC within Alabama. State of Alabama.


The Andalusia Police Department executed the search warrant at Mellow Haze on Friday, October. 13 resulting in the seizing of several items. APD chief Paul Hudson said the search warrant was issued after receiving several reports of illegal activities. According to the officials, a lot of the objects seized were taken into the Alabama Department of Forensics for examination, including an item that is believed of being marijuana. The establishment was also closed.


The investigation continues and there are no arrests yet.


Other topics that were discussed by the council comprised:


  • The council voted to approve the FY22 financial audit conducted with the company of accountants Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes with the representative Gail Hayes presenting the firm’s report during the council’s earlier October meeting. Hayes stated that there were no negative findings, and that the financial position of the city is good.

  • “The audit found that the city had improved its financial situation for the 8th consecutive year as well as that it improved its net position by $3.5 million for FY22. This was partly due to a strong economy that has led to 7 percent growth in sales overall across the city. The city has had positive net changes each year since 2013. Overall it’s a great report due to the hard work of the city department heads, council members and employees.” Johnson said.

  • Re-appointing Steve Posey to the Public Education Building Authority Board.

  • approval of the application for a retail liquor license to Off the Traxs, a new business that will be based in 234 S. Cotton St, close to the former train depot. The vote was a 3-1-1 vote, with Councilmember Hazel Griffin voting “no” and Terry Powell abstaining.


The next city council is scheduled for Tuesday, November. 7 6:30 p.m. in city hall. A working session will precede the meeting at 5:45 p.m. Everyone is welcome to be present.

The article City may pull the business license following APD check at Mellow Haze yields suspected marijuana and other narcotics was originally published at The Andalusia Star-News.