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Marijuana convictions vary by jurisdiction, with consequences including jail time, fines, and community service. The amount of drugs and type of crime also affect consequences, with distribution charges resulting in more severe penalties. Prior convictions can also impact consequences.
Marijuana is a drug that is treated very differently from one jurisdiction to another. In one place a conviction for marijuana can be a felony comparable to a traffic violation. In another place, possession can be a serious criminal offense. If a person is caught and convicted of a marijuana crime, there are several possible consequences, including jail time, fines, and community service. Which of these a person will be subject to depends on several factors, such as the charges brought against him, the amount of marijuana involved in the crime, and his prior criminal record.
It is important to understand that the amount of drugs a person is caught with is a major factor in the consequences of a marijuana conviction. In many jurisdictions, there is a prescribed amount which, once found, can be treated as a misdemeanor. Amounts exceeding this limit generally cause felony charges to rise.
The consequences of a marijuana conviction will also depend on the crime a person is accused of. Even in areas where marijuana is legal or decriminalized, there are some drug-related actions that can lead to serious charges, such as transporting the drug across state lines. Generally, personal possession is treated most leniently. In jurisdictions where marijuana has been decriminalized, such a charge could result in a warning, fine, or community service. In jurisdictions where marijuana is still treated harshly, such a charge could result in jail time.
If the marijuana conviction is intended for distribution, the consequences are likely to be more severe. Courts normally judge the act of drug soliciting more severely. In these cases, a person may be ordered to pay fines, which are likely to be higher than those ordered on a possession charge. If a person is caught with an amount that qualifies as a felony, he may be sentenced to serve a short prison term or given probation. If a person is caught with a large amount and charged with distribution, he is likely to go to jail.
Another thing that will affect the consequences is whether or not a person has a prior conviction. If the person has been previously convicted of another marijuana possession charge, they may be ordered to enroll in a substance abuse program. If the previous conviction is for a distribution charge or another felony, the person can be sent to prison.
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