The graphs below represents how lenient or strict the marijuana laws are in your state compared to Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut. This determination is based on level of enforcement, weight limits, fines and/or time imprisoned. This determination is also based on how strict penalties are for repeat offenders and proximity to certain drug restricted areas such as school zones and public parks.
California
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Connecticut
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Hawaii
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Maine
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Misdemeanors
Unlawful possession of marijuana
Involving an amount of marijuana not possessed for sale having a weight of less than 28.5 grams.
Fine: Up to $100 Imprisonment: None
Unlawful possession of marijuana
Involving an amount of marijuana not possessed for sale having a weight of more than 28.5 grams.
Fine: Up to $500 Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
Unlawful possession of marijuana on school grounds
Every person 18 years of age or over who possesses less than 28.5 grams of marijuana, upon the grounds of, or within, any school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12 during hours the school is open for classes or school-related activity.
Fine: Up to $500 Imprisonment: Up to 10 days in juvenile hall
Unlawful possession of marijuana on school grounds
Every person under the age of 18 who possesses more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, upon the grounds of, or within, any school providing instruction in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12 during hours the school is open for classes or school-related activity.
Fine: Up to $500 Imprisonment: Up to 10 days in juvenile hall
Gift
Any person who gives away, offers to give away, transports, offers to transport, or attempts to transport not more than 28.5 grams of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Fine: $100 Imprisonment: None
Felonies
Unlawful cultivation of marijuana
Every person who plants, cultivates, harvests, dries, or processes any marijuana or any part thereof, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison.
Fine: N/A Imprisonment: Up to 3 years
Sale/trafficking of marijuana
Any person who transports, imports into the state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, furnish, administer, or give away, or attempts to import into this state or transport any marijuana shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a period of two, three or four years.
Fine: N/A Imprisonment: 2 to 4 years
Distribution to a minor
Every person 18 years of age or over who hires, employs, or uses a minor in unlawfully transporting, carrying, selling, giving away, preparing for sale, or peddling any marijuana, who unlawfully sells, or offers to sell, any marijuana to a minor, or who furnishes, administers, or gives, or offers to furnish, administer, or give any marijuana to a minor between 14 and 18 years of age, or who induces a minor to use marijuana in violation of law.
Fine: N/A Imprisonment: 3 to 5 years
Distribution to a minor
Every person 18 years of age or over who hires, employs, or uses a minor in unlawfully transporting, carrying, selling, giving away, preparing for sale, or peddling any marijuana, who unlawfully sells, or offers to sell, any marijuana to a minor, or who furnishes, administers, or gives, or offers to furnish, administer, or give any marijuana to a minor under 14 years of age, or who induces a minor to use marijuana in violation of law.
Fine: N/A Imprisonment: 3, 5, or 7 years
United States Marijuana Arrest Trends
The graphs below represent the trends in marijuana arrests from 1990 to 2005 in the United States. With the higher amount of arrests also comes tens and billions of more dollars spent on enforcement, adjudication, and imprisonment for marijuana related offenses.
Source
CALIFORNIA CODES
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTION 11357-11362.9
FBI Uniform Crimes Report
