In 2020, Mississippi residents voted to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. The law was signed into law in February 2022, making Mississippi the 37th state to legalize medical weed. In addition, since 2014, it has been legal to use CBD-rich cannabis extracts to treat refractory epilepsy, but only if they contain less than 0.5% THC. Anyone knowingly in possession of more than 25 pounds – 2,000 pounds of cannabis (or 300 to 2,000 plants) is a crime punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 3 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000. Our legal team is based in Denver, but we represent clients charged with drug offenses throughout the state, including Colorado Springs, Golden and more. Our criminal justice attorneys combat all types of drug possession under Colorado`s revised laws, including those involving methamphetamine, ketamine, codeine, LSD and others. Connecticut legalized recreational marijuana with the passage of SB 1201 in July 2021. As such, residents can carry 1.5 ounces without fines or penalties. Retail sales are expected to be available by the end of 2022. Growing pot for recreational purposes is not legal. Note that these penalties are more lax than for possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana.
Learn more about drug possession offenses in Colorado (CRS 18-18-403.5). In 2020, Montana residents voted to legalize the possession and cultivation of recreational marijuana, in addition to allowing the establishment of a cannabis retail market. Cannabis has been legal for medical purposes in Montana since 2004. If a resident has an eligible condition, they can purchase one ounce of usable marijuana. Registered cardholders who have not designated a supplier can grow up to four plants. Medical cannabis has been legally available to New Yorkers through the state`s medical marijuana program since 2014. It is illegal to possess, use, buy, sell or grow marijuana in Minnesota for recreational purposes. While possession of no more than 42.5 grams is only an offence, possession of larger amounts leads to a criminal offence.
The sale and delivery of cannabis works in the same way, with 42.5 grams leading to an offence compared to larger sales treated as a crime. Minnesota has partially decriminalized some crimes against marijuana possession. Although marijuana cannot be prescribed for medical purposes in Kansas, it has been banned since 2018. 2019 legal to use high-CBD cannabis extracts for recreational purposes and to address qualification requirements. Medical CBD should contain no more than 5% THC, while recreational CBD should contain absolutely no trace of THC. Possession of marijuana remains a federal offense, and federal law applies to crimes committed on federal property, which includes the Capitol complex and shopping mall in D.C., as well as all national parks and military property across the country and other federally controlled lands. On March 31, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill allowing recreational use and possession of marijuana by adults 21 years of age and older. In addition to licensing growers and traders, it will also be possible to grow up to six mature and six immature plants in a household, although this will not be the case until 18 months after sales begin. Even under the new law, previous marijuana convictions will be overturned retroactively if those acts were now considered legal. Although marijuana cannot be prescribed for medical purposes in Georgia, since 2015 it has been legal to use CBD-rich cannabis extracts to treat eligible conditions, but only if it contains less than 5% THC.
As of April 2022, 37 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Four U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands) have also legalized medical cannabis. A total of 18 states have legalized recreational marijuana use. Since 2004 and 2018, it has been legal in Vermont to possess, use, buy, sell and cultivate marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. Residents are allowed to possess up to one ounce of recreational cannabis. Possession of no more than two ounces results in a misdemeanor, while more than two ounces is considered a felony. This state has local jurisdictions that have enacted municipal laws or resolutions that decriminalize minor cannabis possession offenses, in whole or in part.