SB160 Alabama 2022 Session

Under existing law, a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree if he or she possesses marijuana for other than personal use or possesses marijuana for personal use only after having been previously convicted of unlawful possession in the second degree or unlawful possession of marijuana for his or her personal use only. Existing law also provides that the crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree is a Class C felony

This bill would amend the crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first degree to provide that a person commits the crime if he or she possesses two or more ounces of marijuana and would prescribe new criminal penalties based on the number of prior violations

Under existing law, a person commits the crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree if he or she possesses marijuana for personal use only. Existing law also provides that the crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor

This bill would amend the crime of unlawful possession of marijuana in the second degree to provide that a person commits the crime if he or she possesses less than two ounces of marijuana and would change the criminal penalty to a fine only

This bill would also provide that a person who is charged with, found not guilty of, or convicted of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first or second degree may have that charge, finding, or conviction expunged if he or she has not been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or violation, excluding minor traffic violations, within the last five years

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

Relating to crimes and offenses; to amend Sections 13A-12-213 and 13A-12-214, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide further for the crimes of unlawful possession of marijuana in the first and second degrees; to revise the criminal penalties; to provide for expungement of a charge, finding, or conviction, under certain conditions; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.