This bill would revise the penalties for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Instead of a misdemeanor and possible jail time, the penalty for the first two offenses would be a violation and small fine. It also establishes weight criteria versus prosecutorial discretion on whether someone had a personal amount or not.
These bills have been introduced as companion bills in both the House and Senate. They were up in their respective Judiciary committees on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The Senate version passed in committee with a 6-4 vote, but failed in the House with a 5-7 vote. This means the House bill is dead.
Full Text (HB272)
Full Text (SB251)
News
Bill to reduce Alabama penalty for marijuana possession hits snag (AL.com)
House, Senate committees to consider bills easing marijuana punishments (Montgomery Advertiser)
Bills would lower penalties for marijuana possession (OA Now)
