Possession of less than one kilogram of cannabis is punishable by up to one year incarceration and a fine of $200 - $500.
Driving while in possession of cannabis is penalized by suspension of the offender's driver's license for six months for the first violation and for one year for subsequent offences.
Production or delivery of less than one kilogram of cannabis is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $3,000 - $100,000. Delivery to a minor at least three years younger than the offender adds an extra 2 - 5 years imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000. Sale or possession within 300 yards of a school property, public park or playground doubles the possible consequences.
Convictions for possession, production or sale of one kilogram or more carry mandatory minimum penalties. For five kilograms or less, the consequence is a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment with a maximum of 50 years and a fine of $10,000 - $500,000. For over five kilograms, the penalty is a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years imprisonment with a maximum of life in prison and a fine of $25,000 - $100,000.
For sentences of probation with no incarceration, the individual is required to undergo a drug abuse evaluation, attend a drug education course and perform 100 hours of community service.
Mandatory minimum sentence: When an individual is convicted of a violation 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 right to sentence the individual to less time than the mandatory minimum. A convict serving an MMS for a federal violation and for most state offences will not be eligible for parole. Even peaceful cannabis smokers sentenced to "life MMS" must serve a life sentence with no possibility of parole.
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