HB91 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Drug offenses, to amed certain drug offenses and provide for penalites, Secs. 13A-12-213, 13A-12-214 am'd.

Summary

HB 91 updates Alabama's marijuana possession laws by changing the first-degree possession elements and penalties, keeps second-degree penalties, and adds technical edits.

What This Bill Does

It amends the first-degree marijuana possession definition to cover possession for other than personal use (Class C felony) and personal use after a prior conviction (Class D felony). It keeps unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree as a Class A misdemeanor for personal use. It includes nonsubstantive technical revisions to update the code language and notes the local-funds provision under Amendment 621, stating the bill is exempt from those requirements because it defines or amends a crime. It becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Individuals charged with or convicted of marijuana possession in Alabama, as the first-degree definitions and penalties could apply to their cases (Class C or Class D felonies depending on the situation).
• People with prior marijuana convictions who are charged with possession, particularly those involving personal use after prior conviction, due to the revised first-degree penalties.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 13A-12-213 to define unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree with two scenarios: possession for other than personal use (Class C felony) and possession for personal use after prior conviction (Class D felony).
• Amends Section 13A-12-214 to maintain unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree as a Class A misdemeanor for personal-use possession.
• Adds nonsubstantive technical revisions to update the code language to current style.
• States that the bill, while it would involve local-funds expenditure under Amendment 621, is excluded from those requirements because it defines or amends a crime; sets the effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses