We all know where marijuana is legal and illegal in the United States. But where is it more illegal than other places? For instance, it's still illegal recreationally in California, but no one really cares. But there are states that do care about marijuana laws, and you'll be the one paying for it.
Here are the 10 worst states to get caught with marijuana:
10. Wisconsin
While legislation to legalize marijuana
was introduced in the state last year, none of them went through.
Meanwhile possession for less than one ounce of marijuana can still lead
to a six month jail sentence and a $1,000 fine.
9. Virginia
Here’s a bizarre law. In Virginia,
patients with epilepsy can avoid conviction for possessing low-THC
medical cannabis oils, but they can still be arrested for it. And the
state won’t provide any access to those oils. So they won’t help provide
you with the oils, and they’ll arrest you if they find it on you, but
they won’t force you to go to jail.
8. Arizona
Arizona may have legalized medical
marijuana, but if you don’t have a prescription, you’ll be risking major
punishment. Any amount of marijuana in a person’s possession is
considered a felony. So even for the smallest amounts of weed, you could
face anywhere from four months to 2 years in jail time.
7. Florida
On the face of it, Florida seems to have
some leniency in their laws. Getting arrested with under 20 grams of
marijuana is considered only a misdemeanor. Well, when you factor in
that 20 grams is less than one ounce, and getting caught with anything
more than that results in a third degree felony charge and up to 5 years
in prison. That’s beyond harsh.
6. Georgia
Georgia has some protections for small
amounts of marijuana possession, but if you stray too far, there are
harsh consequences. Under current state law, possessing just two ounces
of marijuana can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
5. Iowa
Iowa’s marijuana laws are probably the
harshest for first time offenders. Under their laws, a first time
offense for marijuana possession, even if it’s just a single joint, can
be punished with up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The ACLU
says it’s “one of the most severe first offense penalties in the
country.”
4. Idaho
On one hand, Idaho law says that
possession of 3 ounces or less of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor
with a maximum punishment of one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. But
that’s just for marijuana possession. Possession of paraphernalia is
also a misdemeanor for the same consequences. And public intoxication
can lead to a six month prison sentence as well. Once those charges
begin stacking on top of one another, it doesn’t really seem like a
misdemeanor anymore, does it?
3. Louisiana
In addition to strict rules against
possession, Louisiana also has possibly the harshest cultivation
punishments in the United States. Any distribution or cultivation under
60 pounds, and that includes just one single marijuana plant, can lead
to five to 30 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. For growing ONE
plant.
2. Indiana
Indiana has some messed up priorities
when it comes to marijuana and crime. Possession of even a single joint
can lead to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine. Over 9,000 people were
arrested in the state for marijuana offenses, 86 percent of which were
for possession. Ironically, 90 percent of all burglaries and 85 percent
of motor vehicle thefts went unsolved.
1. South Dakota
South Dakota is going under the radar
with harsh marijuana laws. Possession of even a small amount of
marijuana can lead to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. But any
possession of hash or concentrates can be punished by up to five years
in prison and a fine up to $10,000. But it doesn’t even matter if the
police arrest you with marijuana in your possession. Under South Dakota
law, anyone who tests positive for past marijuana use can be punished
under the same laws, even if that marijuana use occurred in a legal
state.
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