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| Marijuana Laws in Connecticut | |||
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| POSSESSION | |||
| up to 1/2 oz for adults over 21* (first offense) | non-criminal infraction | none | $150 |
| up to 1/2 oz for adults over 21* (subsequent offense) | non-criminal infraction | none | $200-500 |
| 1/2 oz to 4 oz (first offense) | misdemeanor | 1 year | $1,000 |
| 1/2 oz to 4 oz (subsequent offense) | felony | 5 years | $3,000 |
| 4 oz or more (first offense) | felony | 5 years | $2,000 |
| 4 oz or more (subsequent offense) | felony | 10 years | $5,000 |
| Possession within 1,500 feet of a school | 2 years MMS** | none | |
| *Under age 21 face additional penalties, including temporary driver's license revocation. **These minimum mandatory sentences run consecutive to other sentences. |
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| SALE OR CULTIVATION | |||
| Any amount | felony | 7 years | $25,000 |
| Sale to a minor | felony | 3 years MMS* | none |
| Sale within 1,500 feet of school, public housing or daycare | felony | 3 years MMS* | none |
| *These minimum mandatory sentences run consecutive to other sentences. | |||
| MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| Paraphernalia possession | misdemeanor | 3 months | $500 |
| Paraphernalia possession within 1,500 feet of school | felony | 1 year MMS* | none |
| *These minimum mandatory sentences run consecutive to other sentences. Any conviction can cause suspension or revocation of professional license. |
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| DETAILS | Offense | Incarceration | Fine |
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Possession of 1/2 ounce of marijuana for adults over 21, first offense, is classified as a non-criminal infraction, punishable by a $150 fine. Subsequent offenses may face fines b/n $200-$500. Those under age 21 face additional penalties, including temporary driver's license revocation. Possession of 1/2 ounce to four ounces of marijuana is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense. A subsequent offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $3,000. Possession of four ounces or more of marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 for a first offense. Subsequent offenses are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Possession of any amount within 1500 feet of a school adds a two-year minimum mandatory sentence to run consecutively with any other sentence imposed. Cultivation, delivery or sale of marijuana is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Sale to a minor adds a two-year mandatory minimum sentence to run consecutively with any other sentence. Sale within 1500 feet of a school, public housing project or day care center adds a three-year mandatory minimum sentence to run consecutively with any other sentence. Possession of paraphernalia is punishable by up to three months in jail and a fine of up to $500. If the possession of paraphernalia occurs within 1500 feet of a school, an additional one year mandatory minimum sentence is imposed to run consecutively with any other sentence. Conviction of any violation involving marijuana allows the court to recommend to the licensing boards within the state that the offender's license to practice or carry on his profession be suspended or revoked. |
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Mandatory minimum sentence: When someone is convicted of an offense punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence, the judge must sentence the defendant to the mandatory minimum sentence or to a higher sentence. The judge has no power to sentence the defendant to less time than the mandatory minimum. A prisoner serving an MMS for a federal offense and for most state offenses will not be eligible for parole. Even peaceful marijuana smokers sentenced to "life MMS" must serve a life sentence with no chance of parole. Marijuana tax stamps: This state has a marijuana tax stamp law enacted. This law mandates that those who possess marijuana are legally required to purchase and affix state-issued stamps onto his or her contraband. Failure to do so may result in a fine and/or criminal sanction. For more information, see NORML's report Marijuana Tax Stamp Laws And Penalties . |
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