HB257 Alabama 2016 Session

Under existing law, a person who possess marijuana for other than personal use or who possesses marijuana for personal use and has previously been convicted of unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree is guilty of a Class C felony.

Under existing law, a person who possesses marijuana for his or her personal use is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, a fine of not more than six thousand dollars, or a combination of imprisonment and a fine.

This bill would define unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree as possession of over one ounce of marijuana and unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree as possession of one ounce of marijuana or less.

This bill would make the first offense of unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree a violation, punishable by a fine only.

To amend Sections 13A-12-213 and 13A-12-214, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to possession of marijuana; to provide for the definition of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first and second degree; and to provide that a first offense for unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree would be a violation.