By Drue Perkins, Mountain Brook High School
Tomorrow-TODAY Staff Writer
“Ballots After Bars:” A Bill Allowing Felons to Vote After Prison
As a democracy, Americans are given the right to vote. “Ballots After Bars” by Senator Veronica Keene aims to extend this right to those who are currently denied it. If passed, this bill would remove subsection (g) from 15 Alabama Code § 36.1. Without this subsection, felons who committed crimes from murder to sexual abuse will now be able to have their voting rights reinstated after they have served their time.
Senators opposed to this bill brought up the argument that when these felons committed their crimes, they signed away their right to vote, and therefore, they should not be able to reinstate it.
Senators in favor of this bill argued that voting is an inherent right in a democracy, and once felons have served their time, they should be able to reinstate their voting rights.
Although this bill was not passed, it sheds light on the difficulties that felons face after release.
“Magic Mushrooms for Mental Health:” A Bill for Mental Health and Medicine
This bill aims to grow Alabama’s medical system and battle mental health problems at the same time. “Magic Mushrooms” are a drug called psilocybin that has psychedelic properties similar to LSD and mescaline. The goal of this bill is to fund medical trials to test the effects of psilocybin on those struggling with mental health.
Senators opposed to this bill brought up concerns about the safety of providing the mentally ill with psilocybin. In addition, senators brought up that psilocybin has side effects of anxiety, fear, and paranoia. The two main concerns for senators opposed to this bill are the lack of knowledge and intense side effects. Most senators agree that many people in the State of Alabama are suffering from mental health issues, but not all agree on using psilocybin as a cure. Instead, they suggest that Alabama should increase access to existing mental health care.
Meanwhile, senators in favor of this bill pointed out that it not only provides treatment to those suffering from mental health issues but also strengthens Alabama’s economy with the growth of the state’s medical centers. The benefits this bill provides to those suffering from mental health problems, as well as the boost it provides the state’s economy, are why some senators support this bill. Additionally, senators recognized that psilocybin is not addictive but effective in medical settings.
With the passing of this bill, psilocybin can now be used in medical settings for mental health patients.
“End State-Assisted Killings:” A Bill To Die or Serve Life
The bill “End State-Assisted Killings” by Elijah McCay aims to remove the death penalty in Alabama and replace it with life in prison without parole. For those currently on death row, they could have their cases reviewed by a judge to decide if they deserve a retrial. If not, they would serve life in prison instead.
The reasons this bill aims to get rid of the death penalty is because it has had too many mistakes, it does not stop crime, and it is expensive. Alabama has wrongly sentenced people to death eleven percent of the time. Even with executions, Alabama still has high crime rates. Finally, executing someone costs way more than keeping them in prison for life.
This bill passed in the Senate today. With its passing, there will be no more executions in Alabama, no new death sentences, and more money for other state programs.