MS HB559

Increases penalties for possession of Schedule III and IV controlled substances: maximum 10 years imprisonment (instead of 8) for 2-10 grams, and adds new category of 30-500 grams with up to 20 years imprisonment.

Increases penalties for Schedule V controlled substances: adds new category for 30-500 grams with up to 15 years imprisonment and fines up to $50,000.

Modifies marijuana and synthetic cannabinoid penalties: first offenders with 30 grams to 1 kilogram face up to 5 years imprisonment; second or subsequent offenders face up to 10 years imprisonment and $50,000 fine.

Expands trafficking in controlled substances definition to include violations involving 1 kilogram or more of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, subjecting offenders to 10-40 years mandatory imprisonment without parole.

Allows courts discretion to reduce mandatory sentences by at least 25% if offender was not a leader, did not use violence, and offense caused no deaths or serious injury.