Penalties for Possession of Marijuana

The possible penalties depend on the amount of marijuana possessed.


Misdemeanors:

Up to 180 days in jail if the amount of marihuana possessed is two ounces or less;

Up to one year in jail  if the amount of marihuana possessed is four ounces or less but more than two ounces;

Felonies:

From 180 days to two years in state jail if the amount of marihuana possessed is five pounds or less but more than four ounces;

From two to 10 years in prison if the amount of marihuana possessed is 50 pounds or less but more than 5 pounds;

From two to twenty years in prison if the amount of marihuana possessed is 2,000 pounds or less but more than 50 pounds; and

For life or for a term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years, if the amount of marihuana possessed is more than 2,000 pounds.


In addition, there may be other consequences such as loss of driver's license, loss of educational benefits, immigration problems, and the like.