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Laws on Pot from State to State
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In a hearing held last September, DEA chief administrative law judge Francis L. Young declared marijna to be "one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man." Citing reliable mediclauthorities, Young stated that "There are simply no credible medical reports that suggest that conumng marijuana has caused a single death." Young went on to say, "By contrast, aspirin, a commonlyuse medicine, causes hundreds of deaths each year."
Despite Judge Young's ruling that pot is safer than aspirin, thousands of Americans are persecuted, osecuted, harassed and jailed each year because of the stigma attached to this relatively harmless rg. The recent passing of the Omnibus Anti-Drug Bill marks the climax of the anti-drug hysteria tht as been building for the last eight years. And with the ultra-conservative Bush administration tkin over, things don't look as if they'll be improving anytime soon.
STATE BY STATE
Leaving the new Omnibus Anti-Drug Act and all other federal laws aside, individual states still haveidely varying statutes regarding the possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana. What will getyu one year in Tucson, may only get you a small fine in Toledo. Some states, like Oregon, are veryleient when it comes to possession, but watch out if they nail you for growing. Even one plant cangetyou a 20-year sentence and a $100,000 fine! The discrepancy between laws of different states is onfuing, to say the least.
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Oregon a states that distinguish, and give lesser penalties for, persons caught with small amounts deemed fr"personal use" in private. The same amount used or displayed in public reaps a harsher penalty. Nrt Dakota and Mississippi both have provisions in their laws for marijuana found in vehicles, makin posession violation much more serious; both states change a fine into possible jail time. New Jerey hs a two-year loss of driver's license provision attached to its already stiff possession penalt.
Quite a few states, Arizona and New Jersey among them, doubled the penalties if the drug violation ours within 1000 feet of a school even if you are busted for drugs in your own home! It makes no difrence if school is in session -- it could be 2 A.M., mid-July, or during recess -- minors don't evn ave to be anywhere near the bust.
On the other hand, it's very possible you might have to spend the rest of your life in jail if you'rcaught cultivating or selling large amounts of weed in Montana, Missouri, or Nevada.
Although it's not quite a life sentence, Arkansas, Connecticut, Oregon, Florida, Louisiana, VirginiaRhode Island, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and North Carolina slam the large scale grower/salespersnwith a possible 30-year incarceration. North Carolina's law has a new mandatory minimum sentence f 5 years for possession, sale, or cultivation of over 10,000 pounds.
FORFEITURE
Many states have forfeiture provisions written into their drug laws, making properties attached to t drug offenders liable to seizure by the state. On the federal level, the US Customs Service's "ZeoTolerance" crackdown, netted the service a fleet of luxury yachts in the last year. The ever-zealusCoast Guard, which can seize boats found to be carrying even the smallest amount of drugs, confisate one unlucky man's yacht after finding a few seeds and two stems on board. Possibly the most faous ase of boat seizure came when the infamous "Monkey-Business" -- the "love boat" of would-be preidental nominee Gary Hart and paramour Donna Rice -- was impounded after the Coast Guard found one oint o it. Only after paying a hefty fine was the vessel returned to its owners.
Forfeiture provisions are not limited to boats. The Federal government can seize property involved any kind of drug activity. In Illinois, the Justice Department seized a suspected drug-dealer's gsstation. They later returned the property to his widow after discovering that the business came wthan outstanding $125,000 bill from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for emergency cleaup. A Florida man, arrested by the US Border Patrol with a small amount of marijuana and more than 400,00 cash in his car, wound up being with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana -- a chage whch was later dismissed -- but ended up losing his bankroll. Government prosecutors deemed tha the mney should be forfeited because the man was allegedly on his way to purchase a large amount o marijuna -- a charge he denies.
After stopping a car for a routine traffic violation, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper confiscated $180 in cash when the driver could not give the officer an "acceptable" explanation for carrying suc large wad. The cost of litigation involved in small forfeiture cases often discourages the victi o wrongful seizure from fighting the case in court.
State governments usually have different forfeiture guidelines for different amounts and types of drs. These guidelines include the forfeiture of drug containers, cars, money, and other valuables. u in California and many other states they can't seize your car if it's your family's sole means oftrnsportation.
Only 17 states currently have the same type of real estate forfeiture provisions that are already wrten into Federal Law. This figure is sure to change for the worse in the next few years, so that ntonly can the US government take your home, but the local sheriff's department can join in the bouny-unt as well.
CONSTITUTION? WHAT'S THAT?
Getting illegally-obtained evidence to stand up in court has always been a constitutional nightmare r prosecutors. Illegal searches (those carried out without a warrant or probable cause) are usuall onsidered unconstitutional and the evidence contained from them thrown out of court. However, a rcet US Supreme Court decision allowed prosecutors in Florida to introduce evidence gathered by polie uing a helicopter. The whirly-bird flew 400 feet over a greenhouse that had marijuana plants groing n it, visible only from the sky. The police used the information gathered from the flight to obain awarrant, but the Florida Supreme Court ruled it an unconstitutional search. The US Supreme Cort disgreed -- a fixed-wing aircraft can fly no lower than 500 feet, but since there are no regulatons regrding helicopters, this was not considered invasion of privacy.
In yet another case of civil rights erosion, a Florida State Court of Appeals ruled that police can arch passengers' luggage on public busses at random. No reason necessary -- a funny haircut, suspiius walk, and your privacy is history.
THOSE MADCAP POLITICIANS...
As if the current climate wasn't hostile enough towards pot smoking citizens, there are always a fewoliticians ready to make things even more oppressive. For example, the Tennessee Sheriff's Associain feels that anyone convicted of hawking drugs to a minor should be executed! This would include irt-offense sale of marijuana to a teenager.
A bill introduced in the Delaware State Senate would bring back public whippings as punishment for tse convicted of drug offenses. Delaware, the last state to abandon the whipping post (in 1952), stl had corporal punishment on the books until the early '70s. Democratic leader Senator Thomas B. Sare feels that the drug problem is serious enough to warrant restoring this sadistic practice. TheACL, which vehemently disagrees, is currently investigating the constitutionality of the whipping pst.
Representative Al Edwards of Texas has a novel, not to mention morbid, idea for dealing with drug deers. The bill he's sponsoring calls for dealers to lose the tip of a little finger the first time hy're convicted. With each subsequent conviction, they would lose a full finger.
While these penalties seem farfetched, these are the opinions of the people running this country! Dgs are being used as a scapegoat for the problems that America faces today -- homelessness, AIDS, ueployment, crime, and hunger. The politicians feel it's easier and safer to attack drugs than it i t deal with deeper and more controversial issues. And they don't care if they end up shredding th Costitution to do it.
STATE-BY-STATE COMPARISON OF THE MARIJUANA LAWS
compiled by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
(NORML)
ALABAMA
Possession: 0-2.2 lbs. For Personal Use: 0-1 yr & $1,000
0-2.2 lbs. Not For Personal Use: 2-15 yrs & $25,000
2.2-2,000 lbs.: 3-15 yrs & $25,000
Over 10,000 lbs.: 15 yrs & $200,000
Cultivation/Sale: 0-2.2 lbs: 2-15 yrs & $25,000
2.2-2000 lbs.: 3-15 yrs & $25,000
2,000-10,000 lbs.: 5-15 yrs & $50,000
Over 10,000 lbs.: 15 yrs & $200,000
ALASKA
Possession/Cultivation: Legal for personal use in home
Any amount for personal use not in home: 0-$100
Public Display of up to 1 oz. or possession of 4 or more oz.: 0-90 days & $1000
Sale up to 1 oz.: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over an oz.: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
ARIZONA
Possession: Up to 1 lb.: 1.5 yrs & $750-$150,000
1-8 lbs.:4 yrs & $750-$150,000
8 lbs.: 7 yrs & $750-$150,000
Cultivation/Sale: Same as possession for over 1 lb.
Arizona also has provisions requiring community service and drug treatment for people convicted for y pot crime.
Laws regarding drug sales near schools eliminate any chance of parole until all of the sentence is sved as well as imposing a minimum $2,000 fine.
ARKANSAS
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
1 oz-10 lbs.: 4-10 yrs & $25,000
10-100 lbs.: 6-30 yrs & $100,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 1 oz:2-10 yrs & $10,000
Over an oz same as possession charge
CALIFORNIA
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-$100
Over an oz: 0-6 mos & $500
Cultivation: 16 mos-3 yrs
Sale: 2-4 yrs
COLORADO
Possession: Up to an oz in private: 0-$100
In Public: 0-15 days & $100
1-8 oz: 0-2 yrs & $500
8 oz or more: 1-2 yrs
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount 2-4 yrs
Second Offense possession of any amount over an oz subsequent to a prior pot offense carries a penal of 6 mos-2 yrs. For 8 or more oz: 3-8 yrs & $2,000-$5,000.
CONNECTICUT
Possession: Up to 4 oz: 1 yr & $1,000
Over 4 oz: 0-5 yrs & $2,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 2.2 lbs: 0-7 yrs & $1,000
Over 2.2 lbs: 5-20 yrs
No suspended sentences unless the person is drug dependent.
DELAWARE
Possession: Up to 50 lbs: 0-2 yrs & $500
50-100 lbs: 3 yrs & $50,000
100-5,000 lbs: 5 yrs & $100,000
Over 5000 lbs: 15 yrs & $400,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 50 lbs: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
50-100 lbs: 3-10 yrs & $50,000
100-5,000 lbs: 5 yrs & $100,000
Over 5,000 lbs: 15 yrs & $400,000
FLORIDA
Possession: Up to 20 gms: 0-1 yr & $1,000
20 gms-100 lbs: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
100-2,000 lbs: 3-30 yrs & $25,000
Over 10,000 lbs: 15-30 yrs & $200,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 20 gms: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
All other amounts: Same as penalties for possession
GEORGIA
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
1 oz-100 lbs: 1-10 yrs
100-2,000 lbs: 5-10 yrs & $25,000
2,000-10,000 lbs: 7-10 yrs & $50,000
Over 10,000 lbs: 15-30 yrs & $200,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 100 lbs: 1-10 yrs
All other amounts: Same penalties as for possession
HAWAII
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-30 days & $500
1 oz-2.2 lbs: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 2.2 lbs: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 1 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
All other amount: Same as penalties for possession
IDAHO
Possession: Up to 3 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 3 oz: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 3 oz: 0-5 yrs & $1,000
Over 3 oz: 0-5 yrs: 0-5 yrs & $15,000
ILLINOIS
Possession: Under 2.5 gms: 0-30 days & $500
2.5-10 gms: 0-6 mos & $500
10-30 gms: 0-1 yr & $1,000
30-500 gms: 1-3 yrs & $10,000
Over 500 gms: 2-5 yrs & 10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Under 2.5 gms: 0-6 mos & $500
2.5-10 gms: 0-1 yr & $1,000
10-30 gms: 0-1 yr & $10,000
30-500 gms: 2-5 yrs & $50,000
Over 500 gms: 3-7 yrs & $100,000
INDIANA
Possession: Up to 30 gms: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 30 gms but less than 10 lbs: 0-2 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Same penalties as for possession
IOWA
Possession: Any amount: 0-6 mos & $2,500
Cultivation: Any amount: 0-5 yrs & $2,500
Sale: Any amount: 0-5 yrs & $10,000
KANSAS
Possession: Any amount: 0-1 yr & $2,500
Cultivation: Any amount: 0-1 yr & $2,500
Sale: Any amount: 1-10 yrs & $10,000
KENTUCKY
Possession: Less than 8 oz: 0-1 yr & $500
8 oz-5 lbs: 1-5 yrs & $2,500
5 lbs or more: 5-10 yrs & $5,000-$10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Penalties are the same as for possession
Note: Up to 4 plants is treated as simple possession
LOUISIANA
Possession: Under 100 lbs: 0-6 mos & $500
100-2,000 lbs: 5-15 yrs & $50,000
2,000-10,000 lbs: 15-25 yrs & $200,000
Over 10,000 lbs: 25-35 yrs & $500,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 1.5 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
All other penalties same as for possession
MAINE
Possession: Any amount for personal use up to 1.5 oz: $0-$200
1.5-2 lbs: 0-1 yr & $1,000
2-1,000 lbs: 0-5 yrs & $2,500
Over 1,000 lbs: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 1.5 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
All other penalties same as for possession
MARYLAND
Possession/Cultivation: Any personal use amount: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Any other amount, presumed intent to distribute: 5-15 yrs & $15,000
Importation of over 100 lbs into Maryland: 0-25 yrs & $50,000
Second Offense Mandatory 2 yrs, up to 15 yrs & $10,000
MASSACHUSETTS
Possession: Any amount for personal use: Probation
Cultivation/Sale: 0-2 yrs & $5,000
MICHIGAN
Possession: Any amount: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Use: 0-90 days & $100
Cultivation/Sale: 0-4 yrs & $5,000
City of Ann Arbor: Possession under 1 oz: $0-$100
MINNESOTA
Possession: Up to 1.5 oz: $0-$100
Over 1.5 oz: 0-3 yrs & $3,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-5 yrs & $30,000
MISSISSIPPI
Possession: Up to 1 oz not in vehicle: $100-$250
1 gm-1 oz in vehicle: 0-90 days & $1,000
1 oz-2.2 lbs: 0-2 yrs & $3,000
Over 2.2 lbs: 0-20 yrs & $1,000,000 (1 million!)
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 1 oz: 0-3 yrs & $3,000
1 oz-2.2 lbs: 0-20 yrs & $30,000
Over 2.2 lbs: 0-30 yrs & $1,000,000 (1 million!)
MISSOURI
Possession/Cultivation: Up to 35 gms: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 35 gms: 0-5 yrs & $1,000
Sale: Any amount: 5 yrs to life
Note: Any marijuana offense while driving punished by license suspension for 1 year
MONTANA
Possession: Up to 60 gms: 0-6 mos & $500
Over 60 gms: 0-50 yrs & $50,000
Cultivation/Sale: 1 yr to life & $50,000
NEBRASKA
Possession: Up to 1 oz: $100 and drug education
1 oz-1 lb: 0-7 days & $500
Over 1 lb: 0-5 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-15 yrs & $10,000
NEVADA
Possession: Up to 1 oz by a person under 21: 0-6 yrs & $2,000
Up to 100 lbs by an adult: probation-6 yrs & $5,000
100-2,000 lbs: 3-20 yrs & $25,000
2,000-10,000 lbs: 5-20 yrs & $50,000
Over 10,000 lbs: 5 yrs to life & $200,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 100 lbs: 1-15 yrs & $5,000
All other penalties are the same as for possession
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Possession: Up to 1 lb: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 1 lb: 0-7 yrs & $2,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-15 yrs & $2,000
NEW JERSEY
Possession: under 50 gms: 0-6 mos & $750 and 2 year driver license suspension
Over 50 gms: 0-5 yrs & $15,000
Cultivation/Sale: 0-5 yrs & $15,000
New Jersey also has provisions for doubling penalties if they occur within 1000 feet of a school, anstrengthened penalties for people that employ minors in the drug trade.
NEW MEXICO
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-15 days & $100
1-8 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
8 oz-100 lb: 0-18 mos & $5,000
Over 100 lbs: 3 yrs & $5,000
Cultivation: Any amount: 9 yrs & $10,000
Sale: 1 gm-100 lbs: 18 mos & $5,000
Over 100 lbs: 3 yrs & $5,000
NEW YORK
Possession: Up to 25 gms in private: $0-$100
25 gms-2 oz: 0-3 mos & $500
2-4 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
4-8 oz: 0-4 yrs
1-10 lbs: 0-7 yrs
Over 10 lbs: 0-15 yrs
Cultivation: Up to 4 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
4-8 oz: 0-1 yr & $10,000
8 oz-1 lb: 0-4 yrs
1-10 lbs: 0-7 yrs
Over 10 lbs: 0-15 yrs
Sale: Up to 25 gms: 0-1 yr & $1,000
25 gms-4 oz: 0-4 yrs
4 oz-1 lb: 0-7 yrs
Over 1 lb:0-15 yrs
NORTH CAROLINA
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-30 days & $100 suspended drivers license
Over 1 oz: 0-2 yrs & $2,000
Cultivation/Sale: Penalties names as possession of over 1 oz
The following mandatory minimum sentences are provided for trafficking offenses:
Over 50 lbs but less than 100 lbs: 5 yr minimum
Over 100 lbs but less than 2,000 lbs: 14 yr minimum, 20 yr maximum
Over 10,000 lbs: 35 yr minimum, 40 yr maximum
NORTH DAKOTA
Possession: Up to .5 oz not in vehicle: 0-30 days & $500 conditional
.5 oz-1 oz not in vehicle, or .5 oz in vehicle: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 1 oz: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
OHIO
Possession: Up to 100 gms: $0-$100
100-200 gms: 0-30 days & $250
200-600 gms: 6 mos-5 yrs & $2,500
Over 600 gms: 1-10 yrs & $5,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 200 gms: 6 mos-5 yrs & $2,500
200-600 gms: 1-10 yrs & $5,000
Over 600 gms: 2-15 yrs & $7,500
OKLAHOMA
Possession: Any amount for personal use: 0-1 yr
Cultivation: Any amount: 2-10 yrs & $50,000
Sale: Less than 25 lbs: 2-10 yrs & $20,000
25-1,000 lbs: 2-10 yrs & $25,000-$100,000
Over 1,000 lbs:1-10 yrs & $100,000-$500,000
OREGON
Possession: Up to 1 oz: $0-$100
Over 1 oz: 0-10 yrs & $2,500
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-20 yrs & $15,000
PENNSYLVANIA
Possession: Up to 30 gms: 0-30 days & $500
Over 30 gms: 0-1 yr & $5,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 10-30 yrs & $50,000
RHODE ISLAND
Possession: Less than 1 kg: 0-1 yr & $250
More than 1 kilo: 10 yr mandatory minimum
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 10-30 yrs & $50,000
SOUTH CAROLINA
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-30 days and $200
Over 1 oz: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
Cultivation/Sale: Penalties same as possession for over 1 oz
SOUTH DAKOTA
Possession: Up to 1 oz: 0-30 days & $100
1 oz-1 lb: 0-1 yr & $1,000
1-10 lbs: 0-2 yrs & $2,000
Over 10 lbs: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to 1 lb: 0-1 yr & $1,000
1-10 lbs: 0-2 yrs & $2,000
Over 10 lbs: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
Note: Penalty for cultivation under 1 oz same as possession under 1 oz
TENNESSEE
Possession: Up to 10 lbs: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 10 lbs: 4-10 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Up to .5 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
.5 oz-10 lbs: 4-10 yrs & $10,000
Note: Cultivation carries mandatory 1 year minimum sentence
TEXAS
Possession: Up to 2 oz: 0-6 mos & $1,000
2-4 oz: 0-1 yr & $2,000
4 oz-5 lbs: 2-10 yrs & $5,000
5-50 lbs: 2-20 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Under 2 oz: 0-1 yr & $1,000
Over 2 oz: Same penalties as for possession
Texas also has very strict mandatory minimum sentences for amounts over 50 lbs and sale to minors
UTAH
Possession: 0-6 mos & $300
Cultivation/Sale: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
VERMONT
Possession: Up to .5 oz: 0-6 mos & $500
.5-2 oz: 0-3 yrs & $3,000
Over 2 oz: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-5 yrs & $5,000
VIRGINIA
Possession: Up to 5 lbs: 0-30 days & $500
Cultivation: Up to 5 lbs: 0-30 days & $500
Over 5 lbs: 5-30 yrs
Sale: Up to .5 oz:0-1 yr & $1,000
.5 oz-5 lbs: 0-10 yrs & $1,000
Over 5 lbs: 5-30 yrs
WASHINGTON
Possession: Up to 40 gms: 0-90 days & $250
Over 40 gms: 0-5 yrs & $10,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 0-5 yrs & $15,000
WEST VIRGINIA
Possession: Up to 15 gms: conditional discharge
Over 15 gms: 90 days-6 mos & $1,000
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount: 1-5 yrs & $15,000
WISCONSIN
Possession: Any amount: 0-30 days & $500
Cultivation/Sale: Any amount 0-5 yrs & $15,000
City of Madison: Possession: $0-$100
WYOMING
Possession/Cultivation: Any amount: 0-6 mos & $1,000
Sale: Any amount: 0-10 yrs & $10,000
Special thanks to:
HIGH TIMES (bud smokers' bible)
Marlboro Cigarettes
Faith No More
N.W.A.
-and-
Public Enemy
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