HB203 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

April WeaverSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Schedule I controlled substances, Fentanyl and Fentanyl analogues included, criminal penalties for trafficking, Secs. 13A-12-211, 13A-12-231, 20-2-23 am'd.

Summary

HB203 adds fentanyl and its analogues to Schedule I and tightens penalties for possession, distribution, and trafficking, with a new 50-pack trafficking charging option and extensive scheduling of synthetic substances.

What This Bill Does

It lists named fentanyl compounds and fentanyl analogues as Schedule I substances, making possession, distribution, and trafficking illegal with penalties. It provides enhanced penalties for unlawful possession or distribution of fentanyl and its analogues, and for heroin and other synthetic opioid analogues. It creates trafficking penalties for fentanyl or fentanyl analogues added to Schedule I, with weight-based ranges, and adds a charging option if a person has 50 or more individual packages. It also adds many other synthetic substances to Schedule I, updates multiple trafficking thresholds for various drugs, includes firearm enhancements, and takes effect immediately with a local-funding exemption under Amendment 621.

Who It Affects

• Individuals who possess, distribute, or traffic fentanyl or fentanyl analogues would face stronger penalties and a new option to be charged based on 50+ individual packages instead of weight.
• Law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts would implement the new Schedule I classifications and updated penalties; local governments are exempt from additional local-funding requirements due to the bill's stated exceptions.

Key Provisions

• Adds named chemical compounds of fentanyl and synthetic fentanyl analogues to Schedule I (Section 20-2-23).
• Provides enhanced criminal penalties for unlawful possession or unlawful distribution of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, heroin, and synthetic opioid analogues (Sections 13A-12-211 and related provisions).
• Creates trafficking penalties for fentanyl or fentanyl analogues added to Schedule I with weight-based ranges; allows charging trafficking based on 50 or more individual packages (Section 13A-12-211 and subsection detailing 50+ packages).
• Updates trafficking provisions for other substances (cannabis, cocaine, illegal drugs, amphetamine, methamphetamine, synthetic controlled substances) to Class A felonies and adds firearm enhancements for trafficking (Section 13A-12-231).
• Adds a large list of synthetic controlled substances to Schedule I under Section 20-2-23 and defines synthetic analogue treatment for trafficking (Section 20-2-23).
• Establishes that sentencing changes apply to acts occurring after the act’s effective date and acknowledges Amendment 621 exemptions for local fund expenditures (Sections 2 and 3).
• Effective date is immediate upon passage; the bill is stated to be exempt from certain local-funding requirements due to creating or amending crimes (Section 4 and related provisions).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Drugs