Alabama Lawmakers Pass Bill to Report Parents Whose Children Smell of Marijuana
In a rare display of intraparty debate, Alabama House Democrats clashed over a bill aimed at reducing the exposure of children to second-hand marijuana smoke. The bill, sponsored by Representative Patrick Sellers (D-Pleasant Grove), would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in a vehicle with children present and require mandatory reporting of parents whose children smell of marijuana.
The bill would make it a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison, for anyone to smoke or vape marijuana in a vehicle with a child under the age of 19 present. Additionally, violators would be required to attend an education course on the negative impacts of marijuana use around children.
Representative Sellers emphasized the importance of protecting children from the harmful effects of second-hand marijuana smoke, citing the potential for long-term damage to their health. However, some Democratic colleagues expressed concerns about the bill’s unintended consequences, including the potential for racial profiling and overreporting of parents.
Despite these concerns, the bill passed the House with the support of all Republican members, except for two who abstained. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, where it will face further debate and potentially become law if signed by Governor Kay Ivey.
