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| Marijuana Laws in Maine | |||
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| POSSESSION | |||
| Usable amount with proof of physician's recommendation | none | none | none |
| "Usable Amount" (under <1.25 oz) | civil violation | none | $350 - $600 subsequent violation within 6 months $550 |
| 1.25 oz or more | Presumption of Sale, Rebuttable | ||
| CULTIVATION | |||
| 5 plants or less | class E misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| 5 - 100 plants | class D misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| 100 - 500 plants | class C felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| More than 500 plants | class B felony | 10 years | $20,000 |
| SALE | |||
| 1 lb or less | class D misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| 1 lb - 20 lbs | class C felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| 20 lbs or more | class B felony | 10 years | $20,000 |
| Sale to minor or within 1,000 feet of a school or on a school bus | felony | 5 years | $5,000 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| Paraphernalia possession and use | civil violation | none | $300 |
| Paraphernalia sale | misdemeanor | 6 months | $1,000 |
| Paraphernalia sale to a minor | misdemeanor | 1 year | $2,000 |
| DETAILS | |||
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Possession of less than 1.25 ounces is a civil violation, punishable by a fine of $200 - $400. Possession of 1.25 ounces or more is considered evidence of intent to distribute and is punished as such (see below). Possession of a usable amount of marijuana is lawful if at the time of the possession the person has an authenticated copy of a medical record demonstrating that the person has a physician's recommendation. Cultivation of five plants or less of marijuana is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. For greater than five plants, the penalties increase to up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. For greater than 100 plants the possible punishment is up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. For any amount of plants greater than 500, the penalties increase to up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000. The penalty for sale of marijuana is up to one year in jail and a fine up to $2,000. The penalties increase to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 if the sale was made to a minor or if it occurred within 1,000 feet of a school or on a school bus. Possession of greater than one pound of marijuana is considered trafficking and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Possession and personal use of paraphernalia is a civil violation punishable by a fine of $200. The sale of paraphernalia is punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000, unless the sale was to a minor, in which case the penalty increases to up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Upon conviction, the court may suspend or revoke the professional license of the offender. |
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Decriminalization: The state has decriminalized marijuana to some degree. Typically, decriminalization means no prison time or criminal record for first-time possession of a small amount for personal consumption. The conduct is treated like a minor traffic violation. Medical marijuana: This state has medical marijuana laws enacted. Modern research suggests that cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of clinical applications. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant and emerging research suggests that marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors, and are neuroprotective. For more information see NORML's Medical Marijuana section. Hemp: This state has an active hemp industry. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. that contains minimal (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Various parts of the plant can be utilized in the making of textiles, paper, paints, clothing, plastics, cosmetics, foodstuffs, insulation, animal feed, and other products. For more information see NORML's Industrial Use section. |
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