Thisis provingto be a big year for cannabis. As a result, we are ranking the fifty states from worst to best on how they treat cannabis and those who consume it. Each of our State of Cannabis posts will analyze one state and our final post will crown the best state for cannabis. As is always the case, but particularly so with this series, we welcome your comments. We have finally crossed the half-way point. The states featured going forward generally have mixed laws when it comes to cannabis. Some good, some bad, and some ugly. Today we turn to number 23: Minnesota.
Our previous rankings are as follows: 24. New York; 25.Wisconsin; 26.Arizona; 27.West Virginia; 28.Indiana; 29.North Carolina; 30.Utah; 31.South Carolina; 32.Tennessee; 33.North Dakota; 34.Georgia; 35.Louisiana; 36.Mississippi; 37.Nebraska; 38.Missouri;39.Florida; 40.Arkansas; 41.Montana;42.Iowa; 43.Virginia; 44.Wyoming; 45.Texas; 46.Kansas; 47.Alabama; 48.Idaho; 49.Oklahoma; 50.South Dakota.
Criminal penalties.Minnesota punishes the possession of less than 42.5 grams of marijuana with a maximum fine of $200. A person possessing this amount does not face jail time, but may be required to attend a drug education course. The penalties for possession escalate rather quickly. Minnesota punishes possession as follows:
- 42.5 grams to10 kilograms earns a maximum sentence of 5 years in prisonand a maximum fine of$5,000. Subsequent offenses earn 6 months to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.
- 10-50 kilogramsearns a maximum sentence of 20 years in prisonand a maximum fine of$250,000. Subsequent offenses earn 2-30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
- 50-100 kilograms earns a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000. Subsequent offenses earn 3-40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.
- Over 100 kilograms earns a maximum 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Subsequent offenses earn 4-40 years in prison and another maximum fine of $1,000,000.
The sale of marijuana in Minnesota can earn even harsher penalties. However, distributing 42.5 grams or less of cannabis,not in exchange forpayment, does not warrant jail time, but it can require the person convicted to attend a mandatory drug education course and pay a $200 fine. Other marijuana-sale offenses are classified as follows:
- 42.5 grams to 5 kilograms earns a maximum sentence of 5 years in prisonand a maximum fine of$10,000. Subsequent offenses earn 6 months to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.
- 5-25 kilogramsearns a maximum sentence of 25 years in prisonand a maximum fine of$250,000. Subsequent offenses earn 2-30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
- 25-50 kilograms earns a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000. Subsequent offenses earn 3-40 years in prison and a maximum fine of $500,000.
- Over 50kilograms earns a maximum 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. Subsequent offenses earn 4-40 years in prison and amaximum fine of $1,000,000.
The sale of any amount of cannabis to a minor can subject the seller to amaximum sentence of 20 years in prisonand a maximum fine of $250,000.
Medical marijuana.In 2014, Minnesota legalized medical marijuana. Though we were initially impressed with how quickly the state implemented a legal medical marijuana program, its program remains fairly limited. Minnesotapatients are eligible to receive medical marijuana after a licensed health care practitioner certifiesthat the patient has one or more of the qualifying conditions. Qualifying conditions include cancer,glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Tourettes syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, seizures, severe muscle spasms, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and terminal illness that causes severe or chronic pain, nausea, or cachexia. The Minnesota Department of Health (DOH) may add conditions to this list. After certification for cannabis, the cannabis patient must registerwith the state of Minnesota to be able to legally obtain marijuana.Like New York, Minnesota does not allow its patients marijuana in smokeable form, so patients are limited to liquid, pills, vapors, and other methods that do not require smoking.
Minnesotas medical program has been in existence for about one year and has met with mostly mixed reviews ...
