Maine Laws
Maine is one of seventeen states that allows marijuana to be possessed
for medical purposes. Maine citizens must first apply for the treatment
according to a physician's recommendation. Individuals must then
receive medical clearance. By law those eligible may only possess
particular amounts at one time and may only cultivate a particular
number of plants at one time. When an individual with the privileges to
possess medical marijuana violates this law, he or she is then subject
the same punishments as an individual without medical marijuana
privileges.
Possession
Possession laws in Maine are different than the marijuana possession
laws of other states. Because some may legally possess marijuana,
punishments for possession are not as severe as other states.
Possessing less than 1.25 ounces of marijuana is considered a civil
violation and is punishable by a fine between three hundred fifty
dollars and six hundred dollars. There is no incarceration penalty for
this crime; however any subsequent crimes within six months of the
first will have an automatic five hundred-dollar fine.
Cultivation
The cultivation of fewer than five plants is considered a Class E
Misdemeanor and is penalized through six months of incarceration with
or instead of a fine of one thousand dollars. The cultivation of five
to ten plants is a Class D Misdemeanor in the state of Maine and is
punishable by a fine of two thousand dollars with or instead of
imprisonment of one year.
The cultivation of one hundred to five hundred plants is considered a
Class C Felony offense and is penalized by a fine of five thousand
dollars with or instead of imprisonment of five years. Cultivating more
than five hundred plants is considered a Class B Felony offense and is
punishable by ten years of incarceration with or instead of a fine of
twenty thousand dollars.
Sale
Selling less than one pound of marijuana is considered a Class D
Misdemeanor and can result in one year of imprisonment with or instead
of a two thousand-dollar fine. Selling between one and twenty pounds is
considered a Class C Felony offense and is punishable by a fine of five
thousand dollars with or instead of five years in prison.
The sale of more than twenty pounds of marijuana is considered a Class
B Felony and can result in ten years of imprisonment with or instead of
a twenty thousand-dollar fine. Selling to minors increases a
punishment, but selling on or within one hundred feet of a school bus
or school property is a felony offense. Penalties for this crime
include incarceration of five years with or instead a five
thousand-dollar fine.
Paraphernalia
While Maine has not created charges in regards to trafficking, charges
in regards to marijuana paraphernalia are less severe than sale or
cultivation charges. Using and possessing paraphernalia is a civil
violation, resulting in a fine of three hundred dollars.
Selling paraphernalia is a misdemeanor that results in six months of
imprisonment with or instead of a one thousand-dollar fine. Selling
paraphernalia to a minor is also a misdemeanor and can result in one
year of imprisonment with or instead of a two thousand-dollar fine.