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  • Take Action
    • Join Us
    • Contact Elected Officials
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    • Smoke The Vote
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  • Learn
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    • 2024 Cannabis Legislation
    • Medical Program
    • Progress In Alabama
    • Alabama Laws & Penalties
  • Donate

In 2024, the Alabama State Legislature  convenes on February 6, 2024 and adjourns on May 20, 2024.


Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in Alabama state legislation, particularly those related to marijuana, by reading about the 2024 state legislation. Our website provides up-to-date information on bills, laws, and policy changes affecting the state of Alabama, including updates on efforts to decriminalize or legalize marijuana in the state. 


Active 2024 Legislation:

  • SB42 (Decriminalization) - Reduces penalties for simple possession of cannabis & expungements.


  • SB321 (Criminalization) - Sentence enhancement for unlawful sale  of a controlled substance amended; unlawful distribution of marijuana created and penalties established.


  • HB390 (Medical) - Aims to centralize regulation of medical cannabis cultivation under the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, streamlining oversight and enforcement.


  • SB276 (Medical) - Expands Alabama's medical cannabis licensing, introducing mandatory issuance and addressing license procedures.


  • SB306 (Medical) - Shifts the responsibility for regulating, licensing, and enforcing cultivation to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, outlines a three-step process for integrated facility licenses,  and prohibits the transfer of licenses.

2024 Legislation

DECRIMINALIZATION

DECRIMINALIZATION

DECRIMINALIZATION

SB42  - Reduces penalties for simple possession of cannabis & expungements.


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


Sponsor:  Sen. Bobby Singleton (D)


First Read: 2/6/24


Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin


Origin:  Alabama Senate


Full text: Senate Bill 42 

CRIMINALIZATION

DECRIMINALIZATION

DECRIMINALIZATION

SB321  - Sentence enhancement for unlawful sale  of a controlled substance amended; unlawful distribution of marijuana  created and penalties established.


Title: Crimes and offenses; unlawful distribution of a controlled  substance further provided for; sentence enhancement for unlawful sale  of a controlled substance amended; unlawful distribution of marijuana  created and penalties established


Sponsor:  Sen. Will Barfoot (R) (Judiciary Chair)


First Read: 4/11/24


Current Status: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar


Origin:  Alabama Senate


Full text:  Senate Bill 321





MEDICAL

DECRIMINALIZATION

ADULT USE

HB390 - Aims to centralize regulation of medical cannabis cultivation under the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, streamlining oversight and enforcement.


Title:  Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission; primary responsibility over  regulation, licensing, and enforcement of cannabis cultivation authorized


Sponsor: Rep.  Danny Crawford (R)


First Read: 04/02/2024


Current Status: PASSED by House of Origin


Origin:  House of Representatives


Full text: House Bill 390 


--


SB276 -  Expands Alabama's medical cannabis licensing, introducing mandatory issuance and addressing license procedures.


Title: Alabama  Medical Cannabis Commission; number of licenses issued by commission  revised; certain licensure determinations by commission ratified and  confirmed; administrative adjudicatory process for awarding additional  licenses provided


Sponsor:  Senator David Sessions (R), Senator Tim Melson (R)


Read: 4/2/24


Current Status: Read Second Time in House of Origin


Full text: Senate Bill 276


--


SB306 - Shifts the responsibility for regulating, licensing, and enforcing cultivation to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, outlines a three-step process for integrated facility licenses,  and prohibits the transfer of licenses.


Title: Medical  Cannabis Commission; process for issuing integrated facility licenses  revised, duties of Department of Agriculture and Industries revised

 

Sponsor:  Senator Tim Melson (R)


Read: 4/9/24


Current Status: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar


Full text: Senate Bill 306

ADULT USE

ADULT USE

ADULT USE

No active legislation

HEMP

ADULT USE

HEMP

No active legislation.


Decrim

SB42

Reduces penalties for simple possession of cannabis & expungements.


Full text: Senate Bill 42 


SB42 proposes changes to marijuana  possession laws in Alabama. Under the bill, unlawful possession in the second degree, involving possession of less than one ounce, is considered a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $200. Unlawful possession in the  first degree is defined as possessing one or more ounces of marijuana, with penalties ranging from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class D felony  based on prior convictions within a five-year period. The legislation  introduces a provision for expungement under certain conditions.  Fines collected from convictions or bail forfeitures for  second-degree offenses contribute to the State General Fund. The bill  addresses potential local expenditures and claims an exception under the  Alabama Constitution. If enacted, the law would take effect on October  1, 2024.


Unlawful possession in the first degree involves having one or more ounces of marijuana:

  • Penalties:
    1. First conviction within the preceding five years results in a Class C misdemeanor, fined up to $250.
    2. Second conviction within the preceding five years is a Class C misdemeanor, fined up to $500.
    3. Third or subsequent conviction within the preceding five years becomes a Class D felony, fined up to $750.

  • Expungements: Individuals meeting criteria can petition for expungement in the criminal division of any circuit court if not convicted of any other felony, misdemeanor, or violation (excluding minor traffic violations) in the previous five years. Upon approval, the court expunges all related records as provided in Section 15-27-6.


Unlawful possession in the second degree applies to having less than one ounce of marijuana.

  • Penalties:
    • Violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $200.
    • The violation alone does not result in additional charges under Section 13A-12-260..
  • Expungements: Individuals charged can petition for expungement in the criminal division of any circuit court if not convicted of any other felony, misdemeanor, or violation (excluding minor traffic violations) in the previous five years. Upon approval, the court expunges all related records as provided in Section 15-27-6.


Sponsor: Sen. Bobby Singleton (D)


Read: 2/6/24


Current Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin


criminalization

HB321

Sentence enhancement for unlawful sale  of a controlled substance amended; unlawful distribution of marijuana  created and penalties established.


Full text:  House Bill 321


Senate Bill SB321 aims to amend existing laws related to the distribution of controlled substances. It proposes to classify unlawful selling of controlled substances as a violent offense, thereby excluding it from presumptive sentencing guidelines. 


Notably, marijuana is removed from the category of controlled substances  for unlawful distribution, creating a separate offense for its  distribution. The bill also adjusts penalties related to distribution  near school campuses or public housing projects, giving judges  discretion in imposing additional penalties. Lastly, the bill includes  technical revisions to update the language of existing statutes.


Section 13A-12-211.1 is added to the Code of Alabama 1975, to read as follows:


§13A-12-211.1

(a) A person commits the crime of unlawful distribution of marijuana if, except as otherwise authorized, he or she sells, furnishes, gives away, delivers, or distributes marijuana.


(b) Unlawful distribution of marijuana is a Class B felony.


Sponsor: Sen. Will Barfoot (R)


First Read: 4/11/24


Current Status: Read for the second time and placed on the calendar


Medical

hB390

Aims to centralize regulation of medical cannabis cultivation under the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, streamlining oversight and enforcement. 


Full text: House Bill 390 


Title:  Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission; primary responsibility over  regulation, licensing, and enforcement of cannabis cultivation authorized


Summary:  HB390 aims to amend existing law related to the regulation of medical cannabis in Alabama. Currently, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission oversees the processing and dispensing of medical cannabis, while the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries shares responsibility for regulating cannabis cultivation.


HB390 proposes to assign the regulation, licensing, and enforcement of cannabis cultivation exclusively to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. It mandates cooperation between the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the commission for carrying out these functions.


In essence, the bill seeks to consolidate oversight of all aspects of medical cannabis, including cultivation, under the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. If enacted, the law would take effect on October  1, 2024.


Sponsor: Rep.  Danny Crawford (R)


First Read: 04/02/2024


Current Status: PASSED by House of Origin


Origin:  House of Representatives


Full text: House Bill 390 


Medical

SB276

Expands Alabama's medical cannabis licensing, introducing mandatory issuance and addressing license procedures.


Full text: Senate Bill 276


Title: Alabama  Medical Cannabis Commission; number of licenses issued by commission  revised; certain licensure determinations by commission ratified and  confirmed; administrative adjudicatory process for awarding additional  licenses provided


Summary:  SB 276 proposes significant amendments to Alabama's medical cannabis licensing system, increasing the number of licenses issued by the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission for processors, dispensaries, and integrated facilities while making issuance of these licenses mandatory. The bill proposes expanding the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission's licensing  authority to six processor licenses, seven dispensary licenses, and  fifteen integrated facility licenses. Additionally, the bill aims to address issues related to license rescission and denial, requiring the commission to reissue licenses to some applicants, and establishes requirements and guidelines for awarding additional licenses, along with an administrative adjudicatory and appeals process for aggrieved applicants.  If enacted, the law would take effect on October  1, 2024.


Sponsor:  Senator David Sessions (R), Senator Tim Melson (R)


Read: 4/2/24


Current Status: Read Second Time in House of Origin

Medical

SB306

Shifts the responsibility for regulating, licensing, and enforcing cultivation to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, outlines a three-step process for facility licenses,  and prohibits the transfer of licenses.


Full text: Senate Bill 306


SB306 in Alabama proposes significant changes to the regulation of medical cannabis. It shifts the responsibility for regulating, licensing, and enforcing cultivation from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. This change necessitates cooperation between the two entities.


The bill outlines a three-step process for awarding integrated facility licenses, which cover the cultivation, processing, and dispensing of medical cannabis. Firstly, a panel appointed by the Alabama Securities Commission assesses applicants' basic eligibility. Secondly, the panel evaluates the readiness of cultivation and dispensing operations for potential licensees. Finally, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission members score remaining applicants based on various criteria to determine license recipients.


Moreover, SB306 specifies eligibility requirements for integrated facility licenses and prohibits the transfer of such licenses, a departure from existing regulations that allow license transfers in certain situations. These proposed changes aim to streamline the licensing process and ensure tighter control over the cultivation and distribution of medical cannabis in Alabama. 


Sponsor:  Senator Tim Melson (R)


Read: 4/9/24


Current Status: Read for the second time and placed on the calendar


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