Bill > SB176

This bill makes several key changes to Alabama's laws regarding controlled substances and marijuana distribution. It revises definitions and penalties related to the distribution of controlled substances, specifically clarifying that "selling" a controlled substance means exchanging it for money or its equivalent, and adding the sale of a controlled substance to the list of violent offenses. The bill creates a new separate statute for marijuana distribution, making it a Class B felony distinct from other controlled substances. Additionally, the bill maintains existing enhanced penalties for drug distribution near schools or public housing, allowing courts to impose a five-year incarceration sentence with no provision for probation when drugs are sold within three miles of school campuses or public housing projects. The legislation also makes numerous technical updates to legal references and terminology, such as updating section numbers and refining language around criminal offense definitions. These changes aim to provide more precise legal definitions and potentially strengthen penalties for drug distribution in specific contexts. The new law is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, giving state agencies and courts time to prepare for the updated regulations.

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https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search