Alabama Marijuana Law Changes to Include Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids or Marijuana Substitutes
As of July 1, 2010, it is illegal to possess marijuana substitutes or synthetic marijuana in Alabama. Act number 2010-717 was passed this year and signed into effect by Governor Riley.
Under the new law, possession of these marijuana substitutes will be treated the same as possession of marijuana. Possession for personal use only will be treated as a class A misdemeanor and carry a fine of up to $6000 and up to one year in jail. Subsequent possession for personal use or any possession for other than personal use will be treated as a class C felony which carries a fine of up to $15,000 and a prison sentence from one year and one day up to ten years.
These marijuana substitutes are often sold over the internet and in herbal stores. The products are sold as if they are legal substitutes and go by several names such as: Spice, Spice Gold, White Dragon, and K2.
The law gives citizens "a reasonable amount of time" to comply with the law. However, I would caution my clients that there is no date specific before which the law will not be enforced except the date of July 1, 2010, when it goes into effect. Therefore, if you are caught in possession of these items today, you could certainly be prosecuted.
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