Penalties for the personal use of marijuana vary across the country, the most severe standing in stark contrast as more states legalize medical and even recreational use. Possession of an ounce of pot in Colorado is penalty-free, but if you’re in Kansas, that same ounce could land you a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
See the table below for laws and penalties on a state-by-state basis.
This week on "Erin Burnett OutFront," CNN's David Mattingly investigates two marijuana cases involving stiff penalties, including one man spending life in prison on pot charges. "OutFront" asks: Does the punishment fit the crime?
Source: NORML
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $6,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 4 ounces, in your residence | Not classified | N/A | $0 |
| Less than 1 ounce | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $2,000 |
| 1-4 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 4 ounces or more | Felony | 5 years | $50,000 |
| Any amount within 500 feet of school grounds or recreation center* | Not classified | 5 years | $50,000 |
| * If charged with possession of marijuana in a school zone, an affirmative defense may be raised in court that the conduct took place entirely within a private residence. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 2 pounds | Felony | 4 months-2 years | $750 |
| 2-4 pounds | Felony | 6 months-2.5 years | $750 |
| More than 4 pounds | Felony | 1-3.75 years | $750 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 4 ounces (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,500 |
| 1-4 ounces (subsequent offense) | Felony | 6 years | $10,000 |
| 4 ounces-10 pounds | Felony | 6 years | $10,000 |
| 10-25 pounds | Felony | 3*-10 years | $10,000 |
| 25-100 pounds | Felony | 5*-20 years | $15,000 |
| 100-500 pounds | Felony | 6*-30 years | $15,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28.5 grams or less | Infraction | N/A | $100 |
| 28.5 grams or less on school grounds; person over 18 years old | Misdemeanor | 10 days | $500 |
| 28.5 grams or less; person under 18 years old | Misdemeanor | 10 days* | $250 |
| More than 28.5 grams | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $500 |
| * Detention center | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less; person 21 years old or older | No penalty | None | $0 |
| Transfer of 1 ounce or less for no remuneration; person 21 years old or older | No penalty | None | $0 |
| 1-2 ounces | Petty offense | None | $100 |
| Open and public displays or uses of less than 2 ounces | Petty offense | 15 days | $100 |
| 2-6 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 6-12 ounces | Misdemeanor | 18 months | $10,000 |
| More than 12 ounces | Felony | 1-1.5 years | $100,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than ½ ounce (first offense) | Civil penalty | N/A | $150 |
| Less than ½ ounce (subsequent offense) | Civil penalty | N/A | $500 |
| ½-4 ounces (first offense) | Civil penalty | 1 year | $1,000 |
| ½-4 ounces (subsequent offense) | Civil penalty | 5 years | $3,000 |
| More than 4 ounces (first offense) | Civil penalty | 5 years | $2,000 |
| More than 4 ounces (subsequent offense) | Civil penalty | 10 years | $5,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,150 |
| Within 1,000 feet of a school | Felony | 15 years | $250,000 |
| Within 300 feet of park, recreation area, church, synagogue or other place of worship | Felony | 15 years | $25,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 ounce | Civil violation | None | $25 |
| 1 ounce or more | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 grams or less | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| More than 20 grams | Felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| Less than 25 plants | Felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| 25 plants or more | Felony | 15 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| More than 1 ounce | Felony | 1-10 years | $0 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 ounce | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $1,000 |
| 1 ounce-1 pound | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ounces or less | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 3 ounces-1 pound | Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 grams or less | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $0 |
| 2.5-10 grams | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $0 |
| 10-30 grams (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $0 |
| 10-30 grams (subsequent offense) | Felony | 1*-3 years | $25,000 |
| 30-500 grams (first offense) | Felony | 1*-3 years | $25,000 |
| 30-500 grams (subsequent offense) | Felony | 2*-5 years | $25,000 |
| 500-2,000 grams | Felony | 2*-5 years | $25,000 |
| 2-5 kilograms | Felony | 3*-7 years | $25,000 |
| More than 5 kilograms | Felony | 4*-20 years | $25,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 grams or less | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $5,000 |
| More than 30 grams | Felony | 6 months-3 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| Any amount (second offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,875 |
| Any amount (third offense) | Misdemeanor | 2 years | $6,250 |
| Offenders who are chronic abusers of marijuana may be sent to rehab. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,500 |
| Any amount (subsequent offense) | Felony | 10 months*-3.5 years | $100,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 8 ounces | Misdemeanor | 45 days | $250 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 60 pounds (first offense) | Not classified | 6 months* | $500 |
| Less than 60 pounds (second offense) | Not classified | 5 years* | $2,500 |
| Less than 60 pounds (subsequent offense) | Not classified | 20 years | $5,000 |
| 60-2,000 pounds | Felony | 5**-30 years | $100,000 |
| 2,000-10,000 pounds | Felony | 10**-40 years | $400,000 |
| More than 10,000 pounds | Felony | 25**-40 years | $400,000 |
| * First and second offenders may be eligible for probation ** Mandatory minimum sentence |
|||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 2.5 ounces | Civil violation* | N/A | $600 |
| 2.5-8 ounces | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| 8 ounces-1 pound | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| 1-20 pounds | Felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| More than 20 pounds | Felony | 10 years | $20,000 |
| * Possession of a "usable amount" with proof of a physician's recommendation is not punishable. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 grams or less | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $500 |
| 10 grams-50 pounds | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less | Civil offense | N/A | $100 |
| More than 1 ounce (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $500 |
| More than 1 ounce (subsequent offense) | Misdemeanor | 2 years | $2,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| In a park | Misdemeanor or Felony | 2 years | $2,000 |
| Use of marijuana | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $100 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 42.5 grams* | Misdemeanor | N/A | $200 |
| 42.5 grams-10 kilograms | Felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| 10-50 kilograms | Felony | 20 years | $250,000 |
| 50-100 kilograms | Felony | 25 years | $500,000 |
| More than 100 kilograms | Felony | 30 years | $1,000,000 |
| More than 1.4 grams inside one's vehicle (except the trunk) | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 |
| * A conditional discharge is possible for first time offenders. There is a possible drug education course requirement. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 grams or less (first offense) | Not classified | N/A | $250 |
| 30 grams or less (second offense) | Not classified | 5*-60 days | $250 |
| 30 grams or less (third offense) | Not classified | 5*-6 months | $500 |
| 30 grams-250 grams | Felony | 3 years | $3,000 |
| 250 grams-500 grams | Felony | 2*-8 years | $50,000 |
| 500 grams-5 kilograms | Felony | 6* -24 years | $500,000 |
| 5 kilograms or more | Felony | 10*-30 years | $1,000,000 |
| In any part of a vehicle besides the trunk | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $1,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 35 grams | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 35 grams-30 kilograms | Felony | 1 year | $5,000 |
| 30 kilograms-100 kilograms | Felony | 5-15 years | $20,000 |
| More than 100 kilograms | Felony | 10 years-life | $20,000 |
| Possession of more than 100 kilograms is considered trafficking. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 60 grams (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $500 |
| Less than 60 grams (second offense) | Misdemeanor | 3 years | $1,000 |
| More than 60 grams | Felony | 5 years | $50,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 ounce (first offense) | Infraction | N/A | $300 |
| Less than 1 ounce (second offense) | Misdemeanor | 5 days | $400 |
| Less than 1 ounce (third offense) | Misdemeanor | 7 days | $500 |
| 1 ounce-l pound | Misdemeanor | 3 months | $500 |
| More than l pound | Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less (first offense) | Misdemeanor | N/A | $600 or mandatory assessment for addiction |
| 1 ounce or less (second offense) | Misdemeanor | N/A | $1,000 or mandatory treatment. |
| 1 ounce or less (third offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 1 ounce or less (fourth offense) | Felony | 1*-4 years | $5,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 grams or less | Disorderly person | 6 months | $1,000 |
| More than 50 grams | Felony | 1.5 years | $25,000 |
| Violation within 1000 feet of a school adds 100 hours of community service, as well as an additional fine. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 15 days | $100 |
| 1 ounce or less (second offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 1-8 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| More than 8 ounces | Felony | 1.5 years | $5,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 25 grams (first offense) | Not classified | N/A | $100 |
| Less than 25 grams (second offense) | Not classified | N/A | $200 |
| Less than 25 grams (third offense) | Not classified | 15 days | $250 |
| 25 grams-2 ounces | Misdemeanor | 3 months | $250 |
| 2-8 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $250 |
| 8 ounces-1 pound | Felony | 4 years | $250 |
| 1-10 pounds | Felony | 7 years | $250 |
| More than 10 pounds | Felony | 15 years | $250 |
| In public view | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $250 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ ounce or less | Misdemeanor | N/A | $200 |
| ½-1.5 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1-45 days | $1,000 |
| 1.5 ounces-10 pounds | Felony | 3-8 months | $1,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than ½ ounce | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $1,000 |
| Less than ½ ounce while operating a motor vehicle | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| ½-1 ounce | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 1 ounce-500 g | Felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| More than 500 grams | Felony | 10 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 100 grams | Misdemeanor | N/A | $150 |
| 100-200 grams | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $250 |
| 200-1,000 grams | Felony | 6 months-1 year | $2,500 |
| 1-5 kilograms | Felony | 1-5 years | $10,000 |
| 5-20 kilograms | Felony | 1-5 years | $10,000 |
| 20-40 kilograms | Felony | 5*-8 years | $15,000 |
| More than 40 kilograms | Felony | 8 years* | $15,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount (first offense) | Not classified | 1 year | $0 |
| Any amount (subsequent offense) | Felony | 2-10 years | $0 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 ounce | Misdemeanor | N/A | $650 |
| Less than 1 ounce within 1,000 feet of school grounds | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $1,250 |
| 1-4 ounces | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| 4 ounces or more | Felony | 10 years | $375,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 grams or less | Misdemeanor | 30 days* | $500 |
| More than 30 grams | Misdemeanor | 1 year* | $5,000 |
| * First possession conviction is eligible for conditional release. Subsequent conviction can lead to a doubled penalty. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 ounce | Civil offense | None | $150 |
| 1 ounce-1 kilogram | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $500 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounces or less (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $200 |
| 1 ounces or less (subsequent offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ounces or less | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| 2 ounces-½ pound | Felony | 1 year | $4,000 |
| ½-1 pound | Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| 1-10 pounds | Felony | 10 years | $20,000 |
| More than 10 pounds | Felony | 15 years | $30,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ ounces or less (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $250 |
| ½ ounces or less (second offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $500 |
| ½ ounces or less (third offense) | Felony | 1-6 years | $1,000 |
| Fines for possession are mandatory. | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ounces or less | Misdemeanor | 180 days | $2,000 |
| 2-4 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $4,000 |
| 4 ounces to 5 pounds | Felony | 180 days*-2 years | $10,000 |
| 5-50 pounds | Felony | 2*-10 years | $10,000 |
| 50-2,000 pounds | Felony | 2*-20 years | $10,000 |
| More than 2,000 pounds | Felony | 5*-99 years | $50,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 ounce | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| 1 ounce-1 pound | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,500 |
| 1-100 pounds | Felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| More than 100 pounds | Felony | 1-15 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less (first offense), by person 21 years old or older | Civil violation | None | $200 |
| 1 ounce or less (second offense), by person 21 years old or older | Civil violation | None | $300 |
| 1 ounce or less (subsequent offense), by person 21 years old or older | Civil violation | None | $500 |
| 1-2 ounces (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $500 |
| 1-2 ounces (subsequent offense) | Misdemeanor | 2 years | $2,000 |
| 2 ounces-1 pound | Felony | 3 years | $10,000 |
| 1-10 pounds | Felony | 5 years | $100,000 |
| 10 pounds or more | Felony | 15 years | $500,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than ½ ounce (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 30 days | $500 |
| Less than ½ ounce (subsequent offense) | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,500 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ounce or less (private possession or consumption) | No criminal penalty | None | $0 |
| 1 ounce or less (public consumption) | Civil penalty | None | $100 |
| 1 ounce-40 grams | Misdemeanor | 24 hours*-90 days | $1,000 |
| More than 40 grams | Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| * Mandatory minimum sentence | |||
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount | Misdemeanor | 90 days-6 months | $1,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any amount (first offense) | Misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| Any amount (subsequent offense) | Felony | 3.5 years | $10,000 |
| Offense | Class | Jail/Prison | Max. fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Being under the influence | Misdemeanor | 90 days | $100 |
| Less than 3 ounces | Misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| More than 3 ounces | Felony | 5 years | $10,000 |
| Additional $500 for violations within 500 feet of a school | |||