Marijuana Possession Penalties in Mississippi
In Mississippi, prosecution for marijuana possession may indeed be serious, and even misdemeanor convictions may have an adverse impact on your driver's license and your future employment opportunities. Penalties for marijuana possession in Mississippi vary widely based upon the amount or weight of marijuana you are found guilty of possessing and whether or not you have previous convictions.
Possession of marijuana in an amount equal to 30 grams or less generally leads to prosecution for a misdemeanor, while possession of larger amounts leads to prosecution for a felony. Penalties range from small fines for first-offense misdemeanor convictions, generally between one hundred and two hundred and fifty dollars, to heavy penalties for some first-offense felony convictions, up to thirty years in prison or a fine between five thousand and one million dollars, or both.
Keep in mind that there are a number of factors which must be established by the prosecution at trial in order to obtain a conviction for marijuana possession. Prosecutors must prove, among other things, that the substance seized was in fact marijuana, and not some other substance, and they must establish the amount or weight of the substance seized.
For additional reading, here is an interesting post from Jamie Spencer of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer detailing the first ever marijuana arrest in the United States.
Possession of marijuana in an amount equal to 30 grams or less generally leads to prosecution for a misdemeanor, while possession of larger amounts leads to prosecution for a felony. Penalties range from small fines for first-offense misdemeanor convictions, generally between one hundred and two hundred and fifty dollars, to heavy penalties for some first-offense felony convictions, up to thirty years in prison or a fine between five thousand and one million dollars, or both.
Keep in mind that there are a number of factors which must be established by the prosecution at trial in order to obtain a conviction for marijuana possession. Prosecutors must prove, among other things, that the substance seized was in fact marijuana, and not some other substance, and they must establish the amount or weight of the substance seized.
For additional reading, here is an interesting post from Jamie Spencer of the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer detailing the first ever marijuana arrest in the United States.
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