The state of Iowa criminalizes the possession of any amount of marijuana and the current state laws provide even harsher punishments and penalties for the possession or distribution of the drug near schools. If an individual is arrested for the possession or distribution of marijuana in the state of Iowa, he or she should contact a marijuana attorney prior to their arraignment. If the person cannot afford a private marijuana lawyer then a court-appointed counsel should be provided. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), over 640.0 kgs of marijuana are confiscated each year by the Administration. Between the years of 1995-2002, there have been over 46,200 arrests for the possession, distribution, or cultivation of marijuana.
Medical Marijuana Users
In the state of Iowa, there are no laws permitting the use of medical marijuana. Therefore, the possession or use of any amount of marijuana will be treated by the law as an illicit use of the drug. The offender will face applicable charges for the amount found in their possession.
Non-Medical Users
As it stands right now, there is no medical marijuana law for residents of the state of Iowa. This means that all users of marijuana are considered non-medical or recreational users. As recent as March of 2009 a bill was taken off the table in the Iowa state congress that would have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
Penalties for Marijuana Use in Iowa
|
Possession of any amount for first offense |
Class A Misdemeanor |
Penalties include 6 months in prison and/or a $1,000 fine |
|
Possession of any amount for second offense |
Class A Misdemeanor |
Penalties include one year in prison and/or a $1,500 fine |
|
Possession of any amount for a subsequent offense |
Class A Misdemeanor |
Penalties include two years in prison and/or a $500-$5,000 fine |
Penalties for Growing, Selling, and Trafficking Marijuana:
Sale or Cultivation:
|
50 kg or less |
Felony |
Penalties include five years in prison and/or a $750-$7,500 fine |
|
50 to 100 kg |
Felony |
Penalties include 10 years in prison and/or a $1,000-$50,000 fine |
|
100 to 1,000 kg |
Felony |
Penalties include 25 years in prison and/or a $5,000-$100,000 fine |
|
More than 1,000 kg |
Felony |
Penalties include 50 years in prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine |
|
To a Minor |
Felony |
Penalties include five years (mandatory minimum sentence) to 25 years in prison |
|
Within 1,000 feet of a school or park |
Felony |
Penalties include 10 years (mandatory minimum sentence) to 25 years in prison |
Trafficking
There are no such laws regarding the trafficking of marijuana in the state of Iowa. Instead, the state has laws regarding the possession or sale of marijuana paraphernalia. The possession or sale of such materials is a simple misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail and/or a fine ranging from $50-$500.
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana
The laws in the state of Iowa for driving under the influence of marijuana are comparable to laws regarding driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. The first offense in the state of Iowa for driving under the influence of marijuana is a mandatory 48 hours in jail and not more than 12 months in jail upon the conviction for a first offense.
Legal Help with a Marijuana Offense
A marijuana lawyer in the state of Iowa can help you resolve outstanding charges in the jurisdiction of your arrest regarding marijuana. The majority of cases of possession in the state of Iowa use rehabilitation in lieu of punitive penalties for offenders. Alternative sentences are available for offenders through favorable plea bargains. Offenders of marijuana laws in the state of Iowa will only receive these favorable outcomes with the aide and counsel of a marijuana attorney.
