Tennesseee Medical Marijuana Laws

Tennessee maintains strict laws regarding marijuana.Anyone charged with a misdemeanor in a drug case will be subjected to a mandatory minimum fine ranging from $250 to $1,000, depending on the number of the defendants’ previous offenses. Anyone charged with a felony in a drug case will be subjected to the mandatory minimum fine ranging between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on the amount of previous offenses. Persons being charged with the sale, cultivation, distribution, or possession of marijuana are urged to seek the help of a marijuana lawyer or marijuana attorney.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has estimated an annual harvest of almost 700,000 lbs of marijuana yearly, which is estimated to sell for between $3 billion dollars and $4.8 billion dollars at retail value. In 2002, the state of Tennessee logged 13,486 arrests due to marijuana-related crimes, totaling 5% of the total statewide arrests for the year. Of these arrests, 11,473 were for possession, whereas 2,013 were for sale.

Although some Tennessee lawmakers have been lobbying, the state has yet to pass any law in favor of the legalization of marijuana as a medicinal drug. Because of this, any individual found in possession of marijuana will be considered a recreational drug user, and charged in a criminal manner.

Of all the criminal marijuana laws in Tennessee, only three classify as misdemeanors. Possession of marijuana, as well as the sale of one-half ounce or less, can result in a fine up to $2,500, with a mandatory minimum of $250, as well as up to one year in jail. Possession of drug paraphernalia carries these same misdemeanor penalties for a first offense. Second and subsequent convictions carry the same possible jail term and increased mandatory minimum fines--$500 for a second offense and $1,000 for third and subsequent.

In Tennessee selling marijuana carries stiff penalties if you get caught selling more than one-half ounce, you can face felony charges. First convictions, regardless of the amount, carry a minimum fine of $2,000 for the first offense, $3,000 for a second offense and $5,000 for subsequent violations.

You can face one to six years in prison for selling any amount exceeding one-half ounce, up to 10 lbs, and two to 12 years for selling 10 to 70 lbs. Both of these charges carry a possible fine of up to $5,000. The penalties jump significantly for the next two categories, with a prison sentence of eight to 30 years and a $200,000 fine for 70 to 300 lbs., and 15 to 60 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for selling more than 300 lbs.

Regardless of the amount, if you sell to a minor within 1,000 feet of school property, you can face stiffer penalties than normally metered out for the weight category.

Growing marijuana can result in extensive jail time and fines. Like the sale of the plant, first and subsequent cultivation violations result in the same minimum fines, and all violations classify as felonies. Having 10 plants or less can result in a prison term of one to six years and a $5,000. Up to 19 plants carries a sentence of 2 to 12 years and a $50,000 fine. Twenty to 99 plants can result in a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years and a $100,000 fine. Growing 100 to 499 plants can carry a prison term of 8 to 30 years and a $200,000 fine. In the most severe case---500 plants or more---you can face 15 to 60 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.