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House approves tougher fentanyl trafficking penalties amid debate over sentence grading
Summary
The House passed legislation stiffening penalties for possession or trafficking of fentanyl and carfentanyl. Supporters cited the drug’s lethality; critics warned the new thresholds could produce life sentences for small amounts and create collateral harms.
The Missouri House on April 2 passed House Bill 49, which raises the criminal grading for certain small quantities of fentanyl and carfentanyl. Sponsors said the measure aims to reduce distribution and deaths; opponents cautioned that the quantity thresholds and grading increases could create severe consequences for defendants and may have unintended public‑safety effects.
Why it matters: Fentanyl is highly potent; sponsors argued that even trace quantities are lethal and the law must provide stricter penalties for distribution. Critics said class‑A grading for quantities that may be small (and sometimes mixed with other drugs) risks life sentences,…
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