SB333 Alabama 2014 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Arthur OrrSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2014
Title: Controlled substances, Schedule I, additional synthetic controlled substances and analogue substances included in, trafficking in controlled substance analogues, requisite weight increased, Secs. 13A-12-231, 20-2-23 am'd.
Summary: SB333 expands Alabama's drug laws by adding many synthetic substances to Schedule I, raising trafficking thresholds, and imposing harsher penalties including life imprisonment for large amounts and a firearm enhancement.
What This Bill Does
It raises weight thresholds for cannabis trafficking and each tier has a mandatory minimum sentence up to life without parole. It adds a wide range of synthetic substances and analogue substances to Schedule I. It creates trafficking offenses for synthetic controlled substance analogues with similar tiered penalties, including for many other drugs listed, and imposes a five-year non-suspendable sentence if a firearm is involved during the offense. It enforces these offenses as Class A felonies, with enhanced penalties if the offender has prior felonies, and makes the act effective immediately upon approval.

Who It Affects
Drug offenders charged with or convicted of trafficking or possessing cannabis, cocaine, illegal drugs, synthetic analogs, or other listed substances, who would face higher mandatory minimums or life imprisonment depending on the amount involved.
Individuals who commit trafficking offenses while armed with a firearm, who would receive an additional five-year sentence (non-suspendable) on top of the offense penalties.

Key Provisions
Section 2 amends 13A-12-231 to raise cannabis trafficking thresholds (e.g., over one kilo/2.2 pounds triggers a three-year minimum; 100+ pounds triggers five years; 500–999 pounds triggers fifteen years; 1,000 pounds or more triggers life without parole) and applies similar escalating penalties to other listed drugs.
Section 2 adds numerous substances to Schedule I in 20-2-23, including a broad list of opiates, hallucinogens, cannabis derivatives, and synthetic cannabinoids, among many other synthetic substances.
Section 2 creates trafficking offenses for synthetic controlled substance analogues with tiered penalties (ranging from three years to life without parole) based on quantity, identical in structure to other drug trafficking offenses.
Section 2 covers trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs (opiates classed as heroin/morphine derivatives), methaqualone, hydromorphone, methamphetamine, PCP, MDMA, LSD, and many other listed substances with corresponding mandatory minimums and fines.
Section 2 imposes a firearm enhancement: possessing a firearm during the commission of any qualifying act adds five years to the sentence, which cannot be suspended.
Section 2 classifies these trafficking offenses (and their analogues) as Class A felonies, with sentences reflecting prior felony convictions when applicable.
Section 3 states the act’s purpose includes a new or increased expenditure of local funds but is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.
Section 4 provides that the act becomes effective immediately after the governor signs it into law (immediate effectiveness).
The act is named Landon's Law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Controlled Substances