The Alabama Cannabis Coalition is urging lawmakers to reject House Bill 72, warning that the legislation would further expand criminal penalties tied to marijuana use and deepen Alabama’s reliance on punitive drug policy.
HB72, which overwhelmingly passed the Alabama House and now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee, has drawn criticism from advocates who argue it reflects a familiar legislative pattern—one that prioritizes enforcement and punishment over evidence-based reform, public health, and civil liberties.
“The Alabama Cannabis Coalition strongly opposes HB72,” said H. Marty Schelper, founder and president of the coalition. “This legislation continues a pattern of criminalizing citizens instead of addressing real policy failures with transparency, data, and compassion. Alabama deserves better than recycled enforcement-first solutions.”…