MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA — In a significant move to combat the escalating fentanyl crisis, Alabama has implemented mandatory prison sentences for possession of the deadly drug. The legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, and signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, establishes stringent sentences for those found in possession of varying amounts of fentanyl, reflecting the state’s urgent response to the drug’s growing threat.
The New Law: A Detailed Overview
Under the new law, possession of one to two grams of fentanyl will result in a mandatory minimum sentence of three years. The sentences increase dramatically with the amount of fentanyl involved: possession of two to four grams carries a ten-year sentence, four to eight grams results in a 25-year sentence, and possession of more than eight grams could lead to life imprisonment. This law marks a stark departure from Alabama’s previous approach, where fentanyl trafficking was penalized primarily through fines based on the drug’s quantity.