SB7 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Terrorism, forfeiture of property derived from, authorization of claims by injured parties and law enforcement, allocation of proceeds from forfeiture, civil action for damages, limitations

Summary

SB7 raises cannabis trafficking thresholds and creates tiered, heavier penalties for cannabis and many other drugs, plus a firearm enhancement and local-funding clarifications.

What This Bill Does

It increases the minimum amount of cannabis that triggers trafficking charges to 4.5 kilos (10 pounds) and sets multiple penalty tiers that rise with quantity, up to life without parole. It also introduces similar tiered mandatory minimum sentences for a wide range of other drugs (including cocaine, opioids, hallucinogens, stimulants, and synthetic substances) based on exact quantities. The bill adds a firearm-enhancement provision that adds five years to the sentence and a $25,000 fine if a firearm is possessed during trafficking, and it notes local-government funding considerations under Amendment 621 with an effective date after approval.

Who It Affects

• Cannabis traffickers and other drug traffickers: would face higher or new mandatory minimum penalties depending on the drug and the amount involved, including the possibility of life without parole for the largest quantities.
• Local government entities and local funds: the bill discusses local-funding implications under Amendment 621, but states the bill is exempt from those requirements because it defines or amends crimes; practical budgeting effects are limited.

Key Provisions

• Cannabis trafficking threshold raised to 4.5 kilos (10 pounds) with tiered penalties (3 years/$25,000 for 4.5 kg–<100 lb; increasing penalties for larger amounts up to life without parole for 1,000+ pounds).
• Trafficking penalties established for cocaine, illegal drugs, morphine/opioids, MDMA, LSD, PCP, amphetamine, methamphetamine, hydromorphone, methaqualone, and synthetic controlled substances, each with specific weight/pill-count tiers and corresponding mandatory minimums up to life without parole.
• Firearm enhancement: possession of a firearm during trafficking adds 5 years to the sentence and a $25,000 fine, non-suspendable.
• Local-funding and effective date: acknowledges Amendment 621 considerations but is treated as exempt due to crime-definition changes; becomes effective on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

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

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses