Missouri has very tough laws governing both the possession and sale of Marijuana. Additionally, Missouri has implemented extremely tough laws concerning the sale of marijuana near schools, public housing, and to minors. Law enforcement in the state of Missouri arrests between 13,000-18,000 individuals each year for various marijuana related charges, according to the Department of Justice. Every year, the DEA estimates Missouri produces around 130,000 pounds of Marijuana, with a street value of upwards of $900 million dollars.
Medical Marijuana Users
Missouri currently has no medical marijuana laws, although efforts are under way in many areas to legalize it, and in fact, the charge is not being lead by a college town, but by a small rural town mayor’s wife, who had cancer and was a medicinal user.
Non-Medical Users:
Missouri treats all marijuana users as non-medical users. While the state is somewhat tolerant of those caught with small amounts, the state is extremely tough on anyone caught with a larger amount of marijuana. While the fines Missouri imposes do not reach the extremes of other ‘tough sentencing’ states, the prison sentences do with the possibility for life existing for the most extreme possession charge. Nearly every possession charge in the state also carries a felony conviction.
Penalties for Marijuana Use and Possession in Missouri:
|
Possession of 35 grams or less |
Misdemeanor |
Penalties include up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine |
|
Possession of 35 grams to 30 kilograms |
Felony |
Penalties include up to 7 years of jail time and fines up to $5,000 |
|
Possession of 30 to 100 Kilograms (considered trafficking) |
Felony |
Penalties include 5-15 years of jail time and fines of $5,000-$20,000 |
|
Possession of 100 kilograms or more (considered trafficking) |
Felony |
Penalties include u10 years to life in prison and fines of $5,000-$20,000 |
Penalties for Growing, Selling and Trafficking Marijuana:
|
5 grams or less |
Felony |
Penalties include up to 7 years in jail and fines of $,5000 |
|
5 grams to 30 kilograms |
Felony |
Penalties include 5-15 years in jail and fines from $5,000-$20,000 |
|
30 to 100 kilograms |
Felony |
Penalties include 10 years to life in prison and fines from $5,000-$20,000 |
|
100 kilograms and up |
Felony |
Penalties include 10 years to life in jail with no parole and fines of $5,000-$20,000 |
|
Sale to a minor |
Felony |
Penalties include and additional 5-15 years in jail and $5,000-$20,000 in fines |
|
Selling within 1,000 feet of public housing or 2,000 feet of a school |
Felony |
Penalties include 10 years to life in jail and fines from $5,000 to $20,000 |
Miscellaneous:
|
Possession of Paraphernalia |
Misdemeanor |
Penalties include up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine |
|
Sale of Paraphernalia |
Felony |
Penalties include up to 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine |
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana (DUID)
Missouri has no DUID or driving under the influence of Marijuana laws.
Legal Help with a Marijuana Offense
If you are facing any marijuana-related charge in Missouri, you need to consult a marijuana lawyer immediately, as most charges in the state carry very heavy prison terms and felony convictions. A seasoned marijuana attorney will work for you best interests and ensure your rights are protected while seeking the best judgment possible for your case, be it a plea bargain, or even, in select cases, a dismissal.
