Capital Area Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) -

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Marijuana Legislation

· P.A. 11-71, An Act Concerning the Penalty for Certain Nonviolent Drug Offenses signed in 2011.

· Decriminalizes possession of one-half oz. marijuana for adult use

· Reduces the crime to an infraction ($150 fine for first offense)

· Under age 21 face 60-day license suspension

· Under age 16 or 17 face juvenile detention

An Overview of Offenses

Less than

one-half ounce

Penalty for possession now reduced from a crime to an infraction

$150 fine for the first offense

$200 to $500 fine for a subsequent offense

Upon 3^rd conviction, offender must enroll in a drug program at their own expense

For under age 18*, will be found guilty of an infraction and must appear in juvenile court

For under age 21, face 60-day suspension of license or 150-day in receiving license

One-half ounce

to 4 ounces

Fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for no more than one year, or both

Fine up to $3,000 or imprisonment for no more than five years, or both for a subsequent offense

Greater than 4 ounces

Fine of up to $2,000 or imprisonment for no more than five years, or both

Fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for no more than ten years, or both for a subsequent offense

*Penalties for those 16 years of age or younger in effect as of July 1, 2011. Delinquent status expanded July 1, 2012 to include those 17 years of age or younger.

Salvia Legislation

· P.A. 11-73 An Act Regulating the Sale and Possession of Synthetic Marijuana and Salvia Divinorum signed in 2011.

· Requires that Department of Consumer Protection designate salvia and salvinorum A (its active constituent) as controlled substances

· May take a period of time before full regulation and enforcement are in place

Synthetic Cannabis Legislation

· P.A. 11-73 An Act Regulating the Sale and Possession of Synthetic Marijuana and Salvia Divinorum signed in 2011.

· Requires that Department of Consumer Protection designate 5 synthetic version of marijuana as controlled substances

· Possibility of manufacturers altering compounds to get around the law

· May take a period of time before full regulation and enforcement are in place