MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Alabama lawmakers debate Senate Bill 132, a proposal to reclassify psychoactive hemp derivatives like Delta-8 THC as Schedule I controlled substances, critics argue the state’s marijuana policies remain mired in outdated ideologies. The bill’s failure to advance highlights growing resistance to policies rooted in the decades-long War on Drugs, which many say has caused more harm than good.
Alabama criminalized cannabis in 1931, aligning with nationwide prohibition efforts that painted marijuana as a dangerous narcotic. Over the years, these laws have evolved into draconian measures. Until recent reforms, a first offense for marijuana possession could result in mandatory sentences ranging from two to ten years and fines up to $20,000 under federal guidelines adopted by states like Alabama. Even today, repeat offenses or possession with intent to sell are felonies
The consequences of these policies have been devastating. Alabama spends an estimated $22 million annually enforcing marijuana prohibition, money that could fund education or healthcare. Thousands of residents—disproportionately African Americans—face incarceration, job loss, and shattered dreams for possessing small amounts of cannabis. A 2016 case drew national attention when Lee Carroll Brooker, a 72-year-old man, was sentenced to life without parole for possessing marijuana plants. Such punishments have been widely condemned as excessive and unjust.
Critics argue that the War on Drugs has failed to achieve its goals. Marijuana is widely recognized as less harmful than alcohol or tobacco and has proven medical benefits. Yet Alabama remains one of the few states clinging to harsh penalties for cannabis use. The state legalized medical marijuana in 2021 but restricts access to non-smokable forms like oils and capsules. Recreational use remains illegal, even as public opinion shifts and more than half of U.S. states embrace legalization.
The human toll is incalculable. For many Alabamians, a marijuana arrest means losing access to student loans, government benefits, or employment opportunities. Families suffer as breadwinners are jailed for minor offenses. Meanwhile, law enforcement resources are diverted from addressing violent crimes to prosecuting marijuana cases.
Efforts to reform Alabama’s marijuana laws have repeatedly stalled. Bills proposing medical cannabis programs or reduced penalties for possession have died in committee or been blocked by influential lawmakers. Advocates call these failures a missed opportunity to align with modern science and public opinion.
Alabama’s approach stands in stark contrast to states where legalization has boosted economies and reduced incarceration rates. Critics say the persistence of prohibition reflects outdated attitudes rooted in fear rather than fact. As SB132 falters, many question why lawmakers continue pushing policies that harm communities and waste taxpayer dollars.
For Alabama residents ensnared in the criminal justice system over marijuana possession, the fight for reform remains urgent—and long overdue.