ALABAMA ACTIVISTS PUSH FOR POT DECRIM

Local marijuana advocacy groups are asking Alabama lawmakers to decriminalize nonviolent Cannabis convictions during the 2023 legislative session. Activists, including the Alabama Cannabis Coalition, are looking at what other states are doing – including legalizing medical Cannabis – as well as pushing lawmakers to make a change on marijuana possession arrests.

“Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, is sponsoring marijuana decriminalization legislation for the fourth consecutive year.”

“Decriminalization eliminates jail time for petty crimes for so many people and those crimes,” said Marty Schelper, president of ACC, “those misdemeanors and those felonies can actually prevent those people from getting jobs and having housing.”

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, is sponsoring marijuana decriminalization legislation for the fourth consecutive year. The legislation has previously passed Senate Judiciary committee review, but died on the Senate floor. Schelper and other advocates are calling for the Alabama Legislature to expunge criminal records for marijuana possession while looking at racial disparities in arrest rates. They’d like lawmakers to then move forward with establishing medical Cannabis dispensaries.

20,000

55,000 patients have enrolled so far in Virginia’s medical marijuana program. The state’s first medical marijuana dispensaries opened up more than two years ago.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of the reach of children.