The bill amends existing laws regarding the unlawful possession of controlled substances in Wyoming by eliminating the requirement that the form of the controlled substance be an element of the misdemeanor offense. It introduces new penalties based on the amount and type of controlled substances possessed, categorizing offenses into misdemeanors and felonies depending on the specific circumstances. For instance, possession of less than three grams of a controlled substance classified in Schedules I-IV will result in misdemeanor charges for first or second offenses, while third or subsequent offenses will be classified as felonies. The bill also specifies penalties for possession of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, LSD, marihuana, and other controlled substances, with varying degrees of punishment based on the amount possessed.

Additionally, the bill repeals several obsolete provisions and clarifies that no practitioner may dispense or prescribe marihuana or its synthetic equivalents unless they have received final approval from the FDA. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2024. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the legal framework surrounding controlled substances and establish clearer penalties for violations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 35-7-1031