Alabama considers decriminalizing cannabis

Alabama, a state not necessarily the most progressive in the United States, is considering decriminalizing cannabis.

A bipartisan trio of representatives and senators has indeed introduced a bill to reduce penalties for cannabis possession. Currently, a person arrested for the first time for cannabis possession faces a fine of 60,001 TP4T and/or a prison sentence of one year. A second offense is punishable by a fine of 15,000 TP4T and a prison sentence of 1 to 15 years.

The bill wants to reduce penalties for simple possession of cannabis (less than 28 grams). The first two offenses would be punishable by a fine of 2,501 TP4T. A third offense would increase the fine to 5,001 TP4T.

The two sponsors of the bill have high hopes of seeing their text pass, explaining that they had not encountered any opposition from their colleagues.

«No one is talking about legalizing cannabis possession,» explains Senator Dick Brewbaker, a co-sponsor of the bill. «But no one thinks that criminally penalizing young people is a good idea either, because it will follow them for the rest of their lives.»

The draft law must first receive the Prosecutor's approval before continuing its legislative path.

In fact, cannabis possession is already treated more leniently than the law requires, which could be significant support for decriminalization. But opposition is still possible among members of parliament and senators.

Patricia Todd, another bearer of the law, thinks it's high time to pass this law.

«It's not as bad as alcohol. We don't want people to consume it. But it costs the state a lot of money to enforce possession laws.»

She adds that the problem of opioid addiction requires the full attention of the police forces.

«We need all the resources to deal with this, not just a little weed.».