The bill proposes amendments to the "Uniform Controlled Substances Act," specifically Section 21-28-4.01 of the General Laws. It increases the threshold for misdemeanor possession of controlled substances in schedules I, II, III, IV, and V from 10 grams to 28 grams, excluding buprenorphine and marijuana. The bill also mandates the modification of criminal records for individuals previously convicted of possessing 28 grams or less of a controlled substance to show a misdemeanor rather than a more severe charge. The bill includes both insertions, marked by , and deletions, marked by , to the current legal language. Additionally, the bill sets forth penalties for offenses involving different controlled substances, which vary based on the substance's schedule and the nature of the offense. It specifies that possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces of marijuana by individuals 21 years or older is a civil offense, punishable by a $150 fine and forfeiture of the marijuana, without additional criminal or civil penalties. The bill also introduces reporting requirements concerning the racial demographics of individuals convicted of controlled substance offenses. The proposed changes are to take effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Statutes affected:
6162: 21-28-4.01