MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) - Identical bills have been introduced in the Alabama House and Senate that aim to decriminalize, to some degree, the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Senator Dick Brewbaker (R-Pike Road) and Rep. Patricia Todd (D-Birmingham) introduced the bills, which are scheduled for hearings this week.
The proposed bill would make possession of one ounce or less, so-called "personal use", a 'violation' subject to a fine, and not jail time, and would not appear on a person's arrest record upon the first two convictions. The first two offenses would result in a fine of up to no more than $250. A third conviction would result in a Class A Misdemeanor and a fine up to $500.
Under the current law, a first conviction for "personal use" is a Class A Misdemeanor that carries up to a year of jail time and a $6,000 fine. A second offense is a Class C felony, raising the jail possibility to up to 10 years and up to a $15,000 fine.
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