Marijuana Laws

Let's be clear. Marijuana's common existence on a college campus, it is still illegal. 

What exactly does the law say is in store for those found in possession of marijuana? 

Cannabis is considered a Schedule 1 drug “with no accepted medical value in treatment” by the Controlled Substances Act.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Schedule 1 Controlled Substances “have a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision.” Schedule 1 drugs include “heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), peyote, methaqualone, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (“ecstasy”).”

According to the DEA, dependant on prior criminal record and whither it is for personal use, possession of marijuana can be considered either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class C felony. This would result in a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $2,000 fine or ten years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 16 states and D.C. though not all legally allow dispensaries.