Aug 20, 2009
Marijuana Possession
Marijuana Laws
Penalties for Possession of Marijuana
- Up to 1 year in jail.
- Up to a $2,000 fine.
- If it’s your second drug offense, up to 2 years in jail and a $4,000 fine.
- Suspension of your driving privileges for 6 months to up to a year.
First time drug offender
Any drug possession offense can be taken under advisement at the judge’s discretion and eventually dismissed.
Other Consequences of a Drug Conviction
You could be denied:
- Student Loans
- Housing
- Employment
If driving with drugs in your system you can be convicted of Operating Under the Influence of Drugs.
For example, marijuana stays in your system for 30 days, and you can be charged.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Who can legally possess marijuana?
- Someone who has a registry identification card for medical marijuana, or
- A caregiver who has a registry identification card
- A registry identification card is a license issued by the state that allows a person to legally possess marijuana.
What conditions are needed to qualify?
There must be a debilitating condition, which is any of the following:
You can also qualify if treatment if a condition results in the following:
- Severe nauseau
- Seizures (ie: those that are similar to epileptic seizures)
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms (ie: characteristic of multiple sclerosis)
If you are arrested but do not have a prescription for medical marijuana, you may still be able to get the charges dismissed if you can demonstrate the following:
- A doctor’s statement that it is therapeutic in treatment for your disease
- The amount of marijuana possessed was a reasonable amount
- The use, possession, or growth of the marijuana was for the above condition