2023 -- H 5920

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LC002416

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representative Scott Slater

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     (Judiciary)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Sections 21-28-4.11 and 21-28-4.14 of the General Laws in Chapter 21-28

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entitled "Uniform Controlled Substances Act" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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     21-28-4.11. Second offenses.

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     (a) Any person convicted of a second offense under this chapter, except for violations of §

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21-28-4.01(c)(2)(i), § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iii) 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(ii), § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iv), or § 21-28-

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4.01(c)(2)(v), or § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(vi), may be imprisoned for a term up to twice the term

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authorized, fined an amount up to twice that authorized, or both.

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     (b) For purposes of this section, an offense is considered a second offense if, prior to his or

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her conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been convicted under this chapter, except

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for violations of § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(i), § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iii), § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iv), § 21-28-

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4.01(c)(2)(v), or § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(vi), or under any statute of the United States or of any state

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relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs.

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     21-28-4.14. Third or subsequent offenses.

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     (a) Any person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this chapter, except for

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violations of § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iv), or § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(v), or § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(vi), may be

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imprisoned for a term up to three (3) times the term authorized, and fined an amount up to three (3)

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times that authorized by § 21-28-4.11, or both.

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     (b) For purposes of this section, an offense is considered a third or subsequent offense if,

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prior to his or her conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time been convicted twice under

 

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this chapter, except for violations of § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iii), § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(iv), or § 21-28-

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4.01(c)(2)(v), or § 21-28-4.01(c)(2)(vi), or twice under any statute of the United States or of any

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other state, or any combination of them, relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant,

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or hallucinogenic drugs.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT

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     This act would amend the statutory penalties for a second and third possession of marijuana

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offense to conform to the penalties promulgated in the Rhode Island cannabis act.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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