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?
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.
Arizona
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
Arkansas
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
California
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
Colorado
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
Connecticut
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
Delaware
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
District of Columbia
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Less than 1 ounce
Civil violation
None
$25
1 ounce or more
Misdemeanor
6 months
$1,000
Florida
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
Georgia
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
1 ounce or less
Misdemeanor
1 year
$1,000
More than 1 ounce
Felony
1-10 years
$0
Hawaii
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Less than 1 ounce
Misdemeanor
30 days
$1,000
1 ounce-1 pound
Misdemeanor
1 year
$2,000
Idaho
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
3 ounces or less
Misdemeanor
1 year
$1,000
3 ounces-1 pound
Felony
5 years
$10,000
Illinois
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
Indiana
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
Iowa
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.
Kansas
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
Kentucky
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Less than 8 ounces
Misdemeanor
45 days
$250
Louisiana
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
Maine
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.
Maryland
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
10 grams or less
Misdemeanor
90 days
$500
10 grams-50 pounds
Misdemeanor
1 year
$1,000
Massachusetts
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
Michigan
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
Minnesota
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.
Mississippi
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
Missouri
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.
Montana
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
Nebraska
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
Nevada
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
New Hampshire
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Any amount
Misdemeanor
1 year
$2,000
New Jersey
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.
New Mexico
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
New York
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
North Carolina
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
North Dakota
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
Ohio
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
Oklahoma
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Any amount (first offense)
Not classified
1 year
$0
Any amount (subsequent offense)
Felony
2-10 years
$0
Oregon
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
Pennsylvania
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.
Rhode Island
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Less than 1 ounce
Civil offense
None
$150
1 ounce-1 kilogram
Misdemeanor
1 year
$500
South Carolina
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
South Dakota
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
Tennessee
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.
Texas
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
Utah
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
Vermont
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
Virginia
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
Washington
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
West Virginia
OFFENSE
CLASS
JAIL/PRISON
MAX. FINE
Any amount
Misdemeanor
90 days-6 months
$1,000
Wisconsin
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
Wyoming
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