Connecticut Marijuana Policy
Connecticut is a progressive state, however, Connecticut marijuana laws are the opposite. Second offense for personal use is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, oh my! I have one offense on my record in Oregon and I have no worries. If I was in Connecticut, I would be PARANOID! Below are the current marijuana laws in Connecticut, courtesy of Connecticut NORML:
Decriminalized? — Yes.
Possession of less than one-half ounce of marijuana by a first time offender carries a civil penalty of $150.
Possession of less than one-half ounce for subsequent offenses carries a penalty of a civil fine between $200 and $500.
Possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana but less than four ounces of marijuana by a first time offender can be punished with a prison term not to exceed one year and a $1,000 fine.
Possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana but less than four ounces of marijuana after a first offense carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term not to exceed five years and a fine not to exceed $3,000.
For first offenders, possession of more than 4 ounces of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 5 years of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 10 years of imprisonment.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-279 Web Search
Distribution or Cultivation
Distribution or cultivation includes possession with intent to distribute or cultivate marijuana.
For first offenders distribution or cultivation of under 1 kilogram of marijuana is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to 7 years of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and/or up to 15 years of imprisonment.
The court may prescribe an alternative sentence of up to 3 years imprisonment. The offender may then be released at any time during those 3 years and placed on probation for the remainder of their term.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-277(b) Web Search
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-277(d) Web Search
For first offenders distribution or cultivation of greater than 1 kilogram of marijuana is punishable by 5-20 years of imprisonment. Subsequent offenses are punishable by up 10-20 years of imprisonment. The court cannot reduce a sentence below the minimum years of prison time required by the statute, this means that first offenders face a minimum of 5 years imprisonment and subsequent offenders a minimum of 10 years imprisonment. The court may make exceptions to these mandatory minimum sentences if the defendant is under 18 or is/was mentally impaired.
For non-violent first offenders, the court may depart from the mandatory minimum sentence if a particular reason is stated.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-283(a) Web Search
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-278(b) Web Search
Distribution or cultivation of marijuana within 1,500 feet of an elementary/middle school, public housing project, or daycare center is punishable by an additional 3 years imprisonment on top of any other sentence imposed.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-278(a) Web Search
Distribution of marijuana by a person 18 years or older to a person under 18 is punishable by an additional 2 years imprisonment, on top of any other sentence imposed. There is an exception to this rule if the distributor is less than 2 years older than the minor.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-278(b) Web Search
Using a person under 18 years of age to assist in the sale of marijuana is punishable by 3 years imprisonment, on top of any other sentence already imposed.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. §21a-278(c) Web Search
Paraphernalia
Possession of paraphernalia with the intent to use it to cultivate, distribute or inhale/ingest more than one-half ounce of marijuana is a class C misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 3 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $500.
Distributing paraphernalia or possessing it with the intent to distribute it is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a $2,000 civil fine. In order to be guilty of this crime the defendant must know or should have known that the item would be used to cultivate, distribute, or inhale/ingest more than one-half ounce of marijuana.
Paraphernalia possession or distribution intended to manufacture or ingest less than one-half ounce of marijuana is a civil infraction, which will result in a fine of between $100-$300 (including administrative costs).
Distributing or possessing paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of an elementary/middle school is punishable by an additional 1 year of imprisonment.
See:
- Connecticut Gen. Stat. 21a-267 Web Search
Forfeiture
Any item used for the cultivation or distribution of marijuana is subject to forfeiture. This includes vehicles or aircraft that are used to transport marijuana for the purpose of distributing it.
Medical Program? — No.
Want to help improve marijuana laws in Connecticut? Below are some great places to get started, via our Connecticut activism page:
The 2012 Connecticut Primary Project
https://ctprimaryproject.com
Connecticut NORML
Voice 860-805-3243
[email protected]
NORML is back in Connecticut with a new, professional political consultant heading up our new statewide affiliate. Call or email now to get involved! Decriminalization and medical marijuana are both on the table in Hartford.
Officers: Erik Williams (Executive Director)
NORML at Central Connecticut State University
1615 Stanley St
New Britain, CT 06050
Voice (860) 575-8577
[email protected]
Officers: Ross Martowski (Executive Director), Lawrence Vitko III (Deputy Director), Teodor Rada (Public Relations), David Allard (Secretary), Rebecca Slugrad (Treasurer)
Americans for Safe Access Connecticut
https://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=279
Marijuana Policy Project Connecticut
https://www.mpp.org/states/connecticut/
