Bill > HB143

This bill amends Section 41-29-139 of the Mississippi Code to modify the legal definition and penalties for drug trafficking by explicitly including dosage units alongside weight measurements. Specifically, the bill adds language to the section on "Aggravated trafficking" to include four hundred (400) or more dosage units as a threshold for aggravated trafficking of Schedule I or II controlled substances, in addition to the existing two hundred (200) grams requirement. This means that for substances like cocaine, heroin, or other highly regulated drugs, a person can be charged with aggravated trafficking if they possess either 200 grams or 400 dosage units. The penalties for such an offense remain severe, including a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison and a fine between $5,000 and $1,000,000. The bill defines a "dosage unit" as a tablet, capsule, or in the case of liquid solutions, one milliliter, with special provisions for substances like LSD. The amendment aims to provide law enforcement and courts with more precise metrics for determining drug trafficking offenses, potentially allowing for more consistent prosecution across different types of controlled substances. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0143.xml