SB50 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bobby D. SingletonSenator

Democrat

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses; unlawful possession of marijuana; crime revised based on amount of ounces possessed; criminal penalties revised

Summary

SB50 rewrites Alabama's unlawful marijuana possession laws by redefining first- and second-degree offenses, changing penalties based on ounce amount and prior convictions, and adding an expungement path for eligible cases.

What This Bill Does

It creates a first-degree offense for possessing one or more ounces of marijuana, with penalties that depend on how many marijuana-related offenses a person has had in the past five years: a first conviction within five years would be a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $250; a second conviction within five years would be a Class C misdemeanor with a fine up to $500; and a third or subsequent conviction within five years would be a Class CD felony with a fine up to $750. It changes the second-degree offense (less than one ounce) from a Class A misdemeanor to a simple violation punishable by a fine (up to $200). It also allows expungement of a charge, finding, or conviction for first- or second-degree possession if the person has not been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, or violation in the last five years (excluding minor traffic violations). The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• People charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree (possession of one or more ounces) and whose penalties would depend on their prior marijuana-related offenses in the last five years.
• People charged with unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree (possession of less than one ounce) who would face a reduced penalty treated as a simple violation with a fine instead of a misdemeanor.
• People who have not been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or violation within the last five years (excluding minor traffic violations) who were charged, found not guilty, or convicted of first- or second-degree possession and may seek expungement.

Key Provisions

• First-degree possession defined as possessing one or more ounces of marijuana; penalties depend on prior convictions within the last five years: 1st within five years = Class C misdemeanor with fine up to $250; 2nd within five years = Class C misdemeanor with fine up to $500; 3rd or more within five years = Class CD felony with fine up to $750.
• Second-degree possession defined as possessing less than one ounce of marijuana; penalty changed to a violation punishable by a fine (up to $200) rather than a Class A misdemeanor.
• Expungement provision allowing charges, findings, or convictions for first- or second-degree possession to be expunged if the person has not been convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, or violation (excluding minor traffic) in the previous five years, with court approval as provided by law.
• Fines and forfeitures from these offenses are deposited into the State General Fund; the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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 & Offenses