The bill proposes amendments to Section 21-28-4.1 of the "Uniform Controlled Substances Act," including a renumbering to 21-28-4.01 and updates to penalties for offenses involving controlled substances. It increases the threshold for misdemeanor possession from 10 grams to 28 grams for certain substances and allows for the modification of previous convictions to reflect this change. The bill also revises penalties for the possession of marijuana, decriminalizing possession of more than one ounce but not more than two ounces for individuals 21 years and older, subject to a $150 civil penalty and forfeiture of the marijuana. For individuals aged 17 to 20, possession of two ounces or less is a civil offense with similar penalties, but also includes the requirement to complete a drug-awareness program and community service.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that unpaid civil fines for certain offenses will double if not paid within specific timeframes and that no arrests can be made for violations of specified subsections except under certain conditions. It mandates annual reporting on the racial demographics of individuals convicted under the controlled substances act and outlines the jurisdiction for adjudicating violations and the allocation of collected fines. The bill also addresses the unlawful activities related to imitation controlled substances, anabolic steroids, human growth hormones, salvia divinorum, and datura stramonium. The act would take effect upon passage and includes provisions for reclassifying simple possession of 28 grams or less of certain controlled substances as a misdemeanor, along with the establishment of reporting requirements on the racial demographics of parties convicted of controlled substance offenses.

Statutes affected:
7973: 21-28-4.1