ILLEGAL DISTRIBUTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE - Alabama Code Section 13A-12-211. The less serious consequences would relate to things like simple possession of marijuana or, often, there are no consequences other than going to court. Depending on both the type of controlled substance and the amount of that substance found, for a drug possession charge, a person can face a wide range of potential consequences for a drug conviction in Alabama. In addition, being convicted of a drug possession charge in Alabama results in a felony on your record, loss of voting privileges and loss of your right to own a firearm. A person commits the crime of illegal possession of a controlled substance, or an Alabama drug possession charge if he possesses a controlled substance that is on a list of drugs and controlled substances in the Alabama Code.
Possession of marijuana is treated differently than possession of other controlled substances in Alabama. Someone commits the crime of illegal distribution of controlled substances if they “sell, supply, give away, deliver or distribute a controlled substance. This state has local jurisdictions that have enacted municipal laws or rulings that fully or partially decriminalize misdemeanors of possession of cannabis. In such circumstances, the offense is also charged under Alabama's Drug Possession Charges Act, and is also a Class C felony.
Offenses such as possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana in the second degree fall into this category. Conviction on a drug possession charge in Alabama could lead to your incarceration, thousands of dollars in fines and court costs, having a felony on your permanent criminal record, losing your driving privileges, and putting yourself in danger of being treated as a habitual offender in the event of any future criminal charges. The law certainly covers possession of things like methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, or heroin. Illegal possession of a controlled substance is a Class D felony and the sentence cannot be for more than 5 years or less than 1 year and 1 day.
A person is guilty of possession of marijuana in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor, if they possess marijuana for their personal use. Alabama drug possession charges can also result from obtaining or attempting to obtain a controlled substance through fraud, deception, misrepresentation, or altering a prescription. In addition, under Alabama law, conviction on Alabama drug possession charges carries special fines, fees, and costs that the court would impose on your conviction.
