Erowid Note
The following information is from 1993 and is now more than 10 years old. It should be considered
a historical snapshot of cannabis-related penalties and not as currently accurate. For
more up-to-date information, see NORML's State by State
Cannabis Law page.
From: sean@home.whiting.mcs.com (Sean Gum)
Newsgroups: alt.drugs
Subject: Marijuana State Laws -MJLAW.FAQ-
Message-ID: <2yeoDc2w165w@home.whiting.mcs.com>
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 93 08:50:36 CST
Here's a compilation of all the state laws regarding marijuana
possession....
Hey everyone,
Just got my information packet from NORML. Very responsive!
I called their 1-900-97-NORML line last week, and requested
some specific information, and here it is. I HIGHLY recommend
EVERYONE to give it a call. There is a lot of good information
there. (You can even speak to a LIVE NORML person during normal
business hours.)
Anyways, back to the subject of this message. I got a copy
of ALL the state laws regarding marijuana possession/sale/
distribution, so I am going to repost SOME of it here. If you want
a paper-copy, call NORML. Any questions, e-mail me.
Notes: This chart contains the penalties for first offense
possession, cultivation, sale and delivery of marijuana. Most
states have increased penalties for subsequent offenses.
Many states also have enhanced penalties for involving minors
and offenses within a certain distance of schools, parks, and
other recreational areas.
Any amount for possession generally means for personal use.
Possession of large amounts of marijuana will, in most cases,
lead to charges of possession with intent to distribute (same
as sale).
Units of weight vary from state to state. For comparitive
purposes: One ounce=28.35 grams; one pound=453.59 grams; and
one kilogram=2.2 pounds.
Except where otherwise indicated, sentences are in years.
Except where otherwise indicated, fines are maximum amount.
'C': State allows for the conditional release or alternative/
diversion sentencing of first-time possession offenders.
'D': States where marijuana is decriminalized to some degree.
Please see note on Alaska. (At end of file)
'M': State has enacted legislation recognizing the medical
use of marijuana for certain ailments such as glaucoma, nausea
associated with chemotherapy and AIDS treatment, and some
spascticity and neurological disorders.
==========================================================
FEDERAL
Possession
Any amount: 0-1; $2,500
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<100 kg:0-20; $1 million
>=100 kg:5-40; $2 million
>=1000 kg:10-life; $4 million
ALABAMA 'M'
Possession
<=1 kilo for personal use:0-1; $2,000
<=1 kilo otherwise:1-10; $2,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
>2.2 lb.-100 lb.:3; $25,000
>=100 lb-500 lb.:5; $50,000
>=500 lb-1,000 lb.:15; $200,000
>=1,000 lb.: life without parole
ALASKA
Possession
<1oz.:$100
>=1oz.-.5 lb.:0-90 days; $1,000
>=.5 lb-1 lb.:0-1; $5,000
>=1 lb.:0-5; $50,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
>.5oz.-1oz.:0-1; $5,000
>=1oz.:0-5; $50,000
ARIZONA 'M'
Possession
<1 lb.:0-1 1/9; $750-$150,000
>=1 lb.-8 lb.:0-2.5; $750-$150,000
>=8 lb.:0-5; $750-$150,000
Possession for sale
<1 lb.:0-5; $750-$150,000
>=1 lb.-8 lb.:0-10; $750-$150,000
>=8 lb.:2.5-10; $750-$150,000
Cultivation
<1 lb.:0-2.5; $750-$150,000
>=1 lb.-8 lb.:0-10; $750-$150,000
>=8 lb.:2.5-10: $750-$150,000
Sell/Transfer/Transport
<1 lb.:0-10; $750-$150,000
>=1 lb.-8 lb.:0-14; $750-$150,000
>=8 lb.:3.5-14; $750-$150,000
ARKANSAS 'C' 'M'
Possession
<=1oz.:Class A misdemeanor
>=1oz.:Rebuttable presumption of possession with intent
to deliver
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
1oz.-10 lbs.:4-10; $25,000
10-100 lbs.:5-20; $15,000-$50,000
>=100 lbs.:6-30; $15,000-$100,000
CALIFORNIA 'D' 'M'
Possession
<=28.5g.:$100
>28.5g.:0-6 mos.; $500
Posession for sale
16 mos.-3; $20,000
Cultivation
Any amount:1-10; $20,000
Delivery/Sale
Any amount:2-4; $20,000
COLORADO 'D' 'M'
Possession
<=1oz.:15 days;$100
>1oz.-<8ozs.:0-2; $5,000
>=8ozs.:1-4; $1,000-$100,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:2-8; $2,000-$500,000
CONNECTICUT 'M'
Possession
<4ozs.:0-1; $1,000
>=4ozs.:0-5; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-7; $25,000
DELAWARE 'C'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $3,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=5 lb.:0-5; $1,000-$10,000
>5 lb.-100 lb.:3; $25,000
>=100 lb.-500 lb.:5; $50,000
>=500 lb:15; $100,000
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 'C'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-1; $10,000
FLORIDA 'C' 'M'
Possession
<=20g.:0-1; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=100 lb.:Check
>100 lb.-2,000 lb.:3; $25,000
>=2,000 lb.-10,000 lb.:5; $50,000
>=10,000 lb.:15; $200,000
GEORGIA 'C' 'M'
Possession
<1oz.:0-1; $1,000
>=1oz.-50 lb.:1-10; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
>=50 lb.-2,000 lb.:5; $100,000
>=2,000 lb.-10,000 lb.:7; $250,000
>=10,000 lb.:15; $1,000,000
HAWAII 'C'
Possession
<1oz.:0-30days; $1,000
>=1oz.-1 lb.:0-1; $2,000
>=1 lb.-2 lb.:0-5; $5,000
>=2 lb.-25 lb.:0-10; $25,000
>=25 lb.:0-20; $50,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<1oz.:0-1; $2,000
>=1oz.-1 lb.:0-5; $10,000
>=1 lb.-5 lb.:0-10; $25,000
>=5 lb.:0-20; $50,000
IDAHO 'C'
Possession
<=3ozs.:0-1; $1,000
>3ozs.:0-5; $10,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-5; $15,000
ILLINOIS 'C' 'M'
Possession
<2.5g.:0-30days; $500
>=2.5g.-10g.:6 mos.; $500
>=10g.-30g.:1; $1,000
>=30g.-500g.:1-3; $10,000
>=500g.:2-5; $10,000
Cultivation
0-5 plants:0-1; $1,000
5-20 plants:1-3; $10,000
20-50 plants:2-5; $10,000
>50 plants:3-7; $100,000
Sale/Delivery
<2.5g:6mos.;$500
>=2.5g-10g.:1;$1,000
>=10g.-30g.:1-3; $10,000
>=30g.-500g.:2-5; $50,000
>500g.:3-7; $100,000
INDIANA 'C'
Possession
<=30g.:0-1; $5,000
>30g.:1.5; $10,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=30g.:0-1; $5,000
>30g.-10 lb.:1.5; $10,000
>=10 lb.:4; $10,000
IOWA 'C' 'M'
Possession
<50 kg.:0-6mos.; $1,000
>=50 kg.:See penalties below
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<50 kg.:0-5; $5,000
>=50 kg.-100 kg.:0-10; $5,000
>=100 kg.-1,000 kg.:0-25; $100,000
>1,000 kg.:0-50; $1,000,000
KANSAS 'C'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $2,500
Cultivation
<=50 plants:3-30; $300,000
>50 plants:5-life; $300,000
Delivery/Sale
<=1500g.:3-20; $300,000
>1500g.:5-life; $300,000
KENTUCKY
Possession
<8ozs.:0-90 days;$200
>=8ozs.:0-1; $500
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<8ozs.:0-1;$500
>=8ozs.-5 lbs.:1-5; $10,000
LOUISIANA 'M'
Possession
<60 lb.:0-6mos.; $500
>=60 lb.: See penalties below
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
60-2,000 lb.:5-15; $50,000
>=2,000 lb.-10,000 lb.:10-40; $200,000
>=10,000 lb.:25-40; $500,000
MAINE 'D' 'M'
Possession
<1.25oz.:$200-$400
Furnishing
>1.25oz.-2 lbs.:0-1; $1,000
Cultivation
>=100 plants-500 plants:3-5; $10,000
>=500 plants:5-10; $25,000
Delivery/Sale
>=2 lb.-20 lb.:3-5; $10,000
>=20 lb.:5-10; $25,000
MARYLAND 'C'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<50 lb.:0-5; $15,000
>=50 lb.:5-life; $25,000
MASSACHUSETTS 'C'
Possession
Any amount:0-6mos.;$500
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<50 lb.:0-2; $5,000
>=50 lb.-100 lb.:2.5-15; $10,000
>=100 lb.-2,000 lb.:3-15; $25,000
>=2,000-10,000 lb.:5-15; $50,000
>=10,000 lb.:10-15; $200,000
MICHIGAN 'C' 'M'
Use
0-90 days;$100
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-4; $2,000
MINNESOTA 'D' 'M'
Possession
<2 kg.:Drug education; $200
>=2 kg.-10 kg.:0-5; $10,000
>=10 kg.-50 kg.:0-20; $250,000
>=50 kg.-100 kg.:0-25; $500,000
>=100 kg.:0-30; $1,000,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
>=2 kg.-5 kg.:0-5; $10,000
>=5 kg.-25 kg.:0-20; $250,000
>=25 kg.-50 kg.:0-25; $500,000
>=50 kg.:0-30; $1,000,000
MISSISSIPPI 'D'
Possession
<=1oz.:$100-$250
>1oz.-1 kg.:0-1; $1,000
>=1 kg.:See below
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=1oz.:0-3; $3,000
>1oz.-1 kg.:0-20; $30,000
>=1 kg.:0-30; $1,000- $1,000,000
MISSOURI
Possession
<=35g.:0-1; $1,000
>35g.:0-5; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=5g.:0-7; $5,000
>5g.:5-15; $5,000
MONTANA 'M'
Possession
<=60g.:0-6mos.; $100-$500
>60g.:0-20; $50,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:1-life; $50,000
NEBRASKA 'D'
Use
3 mos.;$500
Possession
<1oz.:$100
>1oz.-1 lb.:0-7days; $500
>=1 lb.:0-5; $10,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Same as above
NEVADA 'M'
Use
1-6;$5,000
Possession
Any amount:1-6; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<100 lb.:1-15; $5,000
>=100 lb.-2,000 lb.:3-20; $25,000
>=2,000 lb.-10,000 lb.:5-20; $50,000
>=10,000 lb.:15-life; $200,000
NEW HAMPSHIRE 'M'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<1oz.:0-3; $25,000
>=1oz.-5 lb.:0-7; $100,000
>=5 lb.:0-20; $300,000
NEW JERSEY 'C' 'M'
Possession
<=25g.:0-6mos.; $1,000
>25g.:0-5; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-5; $15,000
NEW MEXICO 'M'
Possession
<=1oz.:0-15days; $50-$100
>1oz.-8oz.:0-1; $100-$1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=100 lb.:0-18mos.; $5,000
>100 lb.:0-3; $5,000
NEW YORK 'D' 'M'
Possession
<=25g.:$100
>25g.-2oz.:0-3mos.; $500
>2ozs.-8oz.:0-1; $1,000
>8ozs.-1 lb.:0-4; $5,000
>1 lb.-10 lb.:0-7; $5,000
>10 lb.:0-15; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=25g.:0-1; $1,000
>25g.-4oz.:0-4; $5,000
>4ozs.-1 lb.:0-7; $5,000
>1 lb.:0-15; $5,000
NORTH CAROLINA 'D' 'M'
Possession
<.5oz.:0-30days; $100
>=.5oz.-1.5oz.:0-2; $2,000
>1.5oz.-50 lb.:0-5; $5,000
>50 lb.: See below
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
>50 lb.-100 lb.:5-10; $5,000
>=100 lb.-2,000 lb.:7-15; $25,000
>=2,000 lb.-10,000 lb.:14-20; $50,000
>=10,000 lb.:35-40; $200,000
NORTH DAKOTA 'C'
Possession
<.5oz.:Class B misdemeanor (Check)
>=.5oz.-1oz.:0-1; $1,000
>=1oz.:0-5; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<100 lb.:0-10; $10,000
>=100 lb.:0-20; $10,000
OHIO 'D' 'M'
Possession
<100g.:$100
Delivery/Sale
<100g.:$100
Cultivation
Any amount:1.5-5; $2,500
OKLAHOMA 'M'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $500
Cultivation
2-life; $50,000
Delivery/Sale
2-life; $20,000
>=25 lb.-1,000 lb.:5-life; $100,000
>=1,000 lb.:5-life; $500,000
OREGON 'D' 'M'
Possession
<1oz.:$500-$1,000
>=1oz.:0-10yrs.; $100,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-10; $100,000
PENNSYLVANIA
Possession
<=30g.:0-30days; $500
>30g.:0-1; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-15; $250,000
RHODE ISLAND 'M'
Possession
Any amount:0-1; $500
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-30; $100,000
SOUTH CAROLINA 'M'
Possession
<1oz.:0-30days; $100-$200
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<10 lb.:0-5; $5,000
>=10 lb.-100 lb.:25; $10,000
>=100 lb.-2,000 lb.:25; $25,000
>=2,000 lb.-10,000 lb.:25; $50,000
>=10,000 lb.:25; $200,000
SOUTH DAKOTA
Possession
<=1oz.:0-30days; $100
>1oz.-.5 lb.:0-1;$1,000
>=.5 lb.-<1 lb.:0-2; $2,000
>=1 lb.-<=10 lb.:0-5; $5,000
>10 lb.:0-10; $10,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=1oz.:15days-1; $1,000
>1oz.-.5 lb.:30days-2; $2,000
>=.5 lb.-<1 lb.:30days-5; $5,000
>=1 lb.:30days-10; $10,000
TENNESSEE 'C' 'M'
Possession
<=.5oz.:0-1; $2,500
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
>.5oz.-10 lbs.:1-5; $3,000
>=10 lb.-70 lb.:4-10; $10,000
>=70 lb.:8-12; $200,000
TEXAS 'M'
Possession
<=2oz.:0-6mos.; $1,000
>2oz.-4oz.:0-1; $2,000
>4oz.-5 lb.:2-10; $10,000
>5 lb.-50 lb.:2-20; $10,000
>50 lb.: See below
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=.25oz.:0-1; $2,000
>.25oz.-4oz.:2-10; $10,000
>4oz.-5 lb.:2-20; $10,000
>5 lb.-50 lb.:5-99; $10,000
>50 lb.-200 lb.:5-99; $50,000
>200 lb.-2,000 lb.:10-life; $100,000
>2,000 lb.:15-99; $250,000
UTAH
Possession
<1oz.:0-6mos.; $1,000
>=1oz.-16oz.:0-1; $2,500
>=16oz.-100 lb.:0-5; $5,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-5; $10,000
VERMONT 'C' 'M'
Possession
<2oz.:0-6mos.; $500
Deliver/Sale
>=2oz.-1 lb.:0-3; $10,000
1 lb.-10 lb.:0-5; $100,000
>=10 lb.:0-15; $500,000
Cultivation
>3-10 plants:0-3; $10,000
>10-25 plants:0-5; $100,000
>25 plants:0-15; $500,000
VIRGINIA 'C' 'M'
Possession
<5 lb.:0-30days; $500
>=5 lb.:1-10; $1,000
Delivery/Sale
<=.5oz.:0-2; $10,000
.5oz.-5 lb.:0-5; $100,000
>5 lb.:0-15; $500,000
Cultivation
Any amount: 5-30; $10,000
WASHINGTON 'M'
Possession
<40g.:0-90days; $1,000
>=40g.:0-5; $10,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-5; $10,000
WEST VIRGINIA 'C' 'M'
Possession
<15g.:automatic conditional discharge; $1,000
>15g.:1-5; $15,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
Any amount:1-15; $25,000
WISCONSIN 'C' 'M'
Possession
Any amount:0-6mos.; $1,000
Cultivation/Delivery/Sale
<=500g.:0-3; $25,000
>500g.-2,500g.:3mos.-5yr.; $50,000
>2,500g.:1-10; $100,000
WYOMING
Use
0-6mos.;$750
Possession
Any amount:0-6mos.;$750
Cultivation
Any amount:0-6mos.;$1,000
Delivery/Sale
Any amount:0-10;$10,000
IMPORTANT NOTES: (State Specific)
ALASKA: In 1975, the Alaska Supreme Court held that the right
to privacy, as expressed in the state constitution, included the
right of adults to possess up to four ounces at home for personal
use. In 1990, Alaskans voted to recriminalize possession. The
constitutionality of the statute is being challenged.
ARIZONA: Offenders placed on probation or early release are generally
required to perform from 24 to 360 hours of community service.
ARKANSAS: Conveyances and real property are not subject to
forfeiture in possession cases.
CALIFORNIA: Conveyances are not subject to forfeiture in cases
involving less than 5 lbs., or if the vehicle is the defendant's
family's sole purpose of transportation. Delivery of less than
28.5 grams of marijuana for no renumeration carries the same penalty
as possession.
COLORADO: No forfeiture in possession cases involving less than
8 ozs. of marijuana.
DELAWARE: No suspended sentences for marijuana offenses.
Conveyences are not subject to forfeiture in use or possession cases.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: First time possession offenders are eligible
for probation followed by dismissal. No forfeiture of conveyence
for possession offenses.
GEORGIA: Conveyences are not subject to forfeitute in cases
involving less than 4 ounces of marijuana and no other substances.
IDAHO: A person's presence at a place where, with his knowledge,
illegal drug activity is taking place, is a misdemeanor. No
forfeiture of conveyence in possession cases.
INDIANA: No forfeiture of conveyance in possession cases.
KANSAS: Real property is subject to forfeiture in all felony offenses.
KENTUCKY: The penalty for cultivating and harvesting marijuana
for sale (possession of more than 254 plants is presumed to be
possession for sale) is one to five years' incarceration and a fine
of $3,000 to $5,000.
LOUISIANA: Eviction from public housing is authorized for any
violation. In July 1991, Louisiana recognized marijuana's
medical use in the treatment of seizures and pain associated with
paralysis.
MAINE: Possession of more than 1.25ozs. is presumed to be unlawfully
furnishing marijuana. Possession of more than 2 lbs. automatically
triggers enhanced penalties for unlawful trafficing.
MASSACHUSETTS: First time possession offenders are placed on
probation. No forfeiture of conveyance for possession of less than
10 lbs. Driver's license suspension for drug offenders.
MICHIGAN: No forfeiture of conveyance.
MINNESOTA: Possession of more than 1.4 grams in a motor vehicle is
punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine.
MISSISSIPPI: Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in cases
involving less than one kilogram.
MISSOURI: Delivery of less than 25 grams for no remuneration is
punishible by one year in the county jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
MONTANA: A minimum of one kilogram is required to trigger
possession with intent to sell. No conveyance is subject to
forfeiture in cases involving less than 60 grams.
NEVADA: No forfeiture of conveyance in cases involving less than
one kilogram and no other drugs. Money in excess of $300 found with
a person charged with distribution is assumed to be intended
to purchase drugs and is subject to forfeiture. Persons under the
age of 21 convicted of possession of less than one oz., may be
sentenced to 1-6 yrs. and up to $20,000 fine, or up to one year,
a fine of $1,000 and driver's license revocation of not more than
six months.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Driver's license revocation for not more than
six months.
NEW JERSEY: Persons convicted of a drug offense are automatically
subjected to driver's license revocation of 6 mos. to two yrs.
NEW MEXICO: Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in misdemeanor
cases.
NEW YORK: Property not subject to forfeiture in misdemeanor
cases. Delivery of less than 2 grams for no renumeration is a
Class B misdemeanor. New York calculates fines by doubling
the alleged proceeds from the drug activity.
NORTH CAROLINA: The transfer of less than five grams of marijuana
for no renumeration does not constitue delivery for penalty
purposes. Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in misdemeanor cases.
NORTH DAKOTA: Possession of up to .5 oz. while operating a motor
vehicle is punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a $1,000
fine.
OHIO: IT is an offense to knowingly allow property or conveyances
to be used in the commission of a felony drug offense.
RHODE ISLAND: Persons convicted of possession but not sentenced
to incarceration are required to perform community service and
pay a fine of $400.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Possession of more than 1oz. of marijuana is deemed
to be possession with intent to distribute. Vehicles not subject
to forfeiture in cases involving less than 1 lb.
SOUTH DAKOTA: Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in cases
involving less than 1 lb. Minors driver's licenses are subject
to suspension.
TENNESSEE: Conveyances subject to forfeiture in possession cases.
TEXAS: Spending funds derived from the sale of more than 50 lbs.,
is in itself an offense punishable by 5-life or 99 yrs. and a
fine of $50,000- $1,000,000. Delivery of less than .25 oz for
no remuneration is a class B misdemeanor.
UTAH: Suspension of driver's licenses for minors.
VERMONT: No property may be forfeited in cases involving less
than two ounces of marijuana and no other drug.
WASHINGTON: Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in misdemeanor
cases.
WEST VIRGINIA: First time possession offenders may be placed on
probation without further penalties. This is mandatory for first
time possession offenders involving less than 15 grams.
Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in possession cases.
WISCONSIN: Real property purchased with illicit drug proceeds
is subject to forfeiture.
WYOMING: Conveyances not subject to forfeiture in possession cases.
That's it. Any typo's are mine. I do not assume any responsibility
for any incorrect information contained. Any questions, e-mail me.
Peace!
