Deborah Dean
HUM/111
January 26, 2014
Cathy Alder
Debate over marijuana in the state of Alabama
Legalizing of the use of marijuana has been a hot issue this past year in many states of the United States. Since I live in the state of Alabama, I was wondering what my state is doing. The 2014 Legislative session started January 14, 2014. In the session there was a bill introduced for making marijuana a lesser crime of offense. The HB76 bill would change the penalties of the state for people caught with less than an ounce of marijuana. Under Alabama law now, Possession of marijuana for personal use is a Class A misdemeanor. Possession of marijuana for other than personal use is a Class C felony, which can be up to 10 years in jail. Also, anyone caught with 2.2 pounds or more, can face a serious trafficking charge. What this bill is proposed to do is help thin out the jail and prison over population and help free up the underfunded courts. Also if a small-time pot smoker has a criminal record of having possession of pot, it makes finding a job more difficult. Another bill that was talked about but might not be heard is to legalize medical marijuana that has CBD in it. This type of marijuana is helping children and adults with seizures and other medical problems.
After reading and listening to this debate over marijuana in the state of Alabama, I would use two different strategies for applying creativity towards this issue. I would use improving things and redefining concept. To improve on this idea of legalizing marijuana for medical reasons and making possession of marijuana a slap on the wrist for the first offense, I need to look at the broad spectrum of the outcome of these bills if they were to pass. Research would be a vital role in knowing the facts and showing the improving ways or redefining the concept of marijuana as a legal product for the people of Alabama to have. Writing down all the key
Bibliography: (Lockette, 2014)