cannabis possession ticket cost
What really drives the cost of a cannabis possession ticket, from the base fine and court fees to diversion programs, deadlines, and payment options.
There is no single national number that answers how many grams get you a felony. Felony marijuana possession begins at 14 grams in Louisiana, 20 grams in Florida, about 28 grams (1 ounce) in Georgia, and 113 grams (4 ounces) in Texas. A few states, including California, do not charge simple possession as a felony at any weight, and federal law keeps simple possession as a misdemeanor on a first offense while treating distribution of any amount as a felony.
Why the felony threshold changes from state to state
Criminal drug laws are written at the state level, so the gram count that separates a misdemeanor from a felony is a state figure. Legislatures pick those lines based on how they classify the drug and what weight they associate with personal use versus resale.
Federal Cannabis Possession Laws: Penalties, Pardons, and State Rights
The statutes also use different units. Some are drafted in grams, others in ounces or pounds, which is why the same ounce shows up as a legal limit in one place and a felony trigger in another.
State felony thresholds for marijuana possession
- Louisiana: 14 grams or more can be charged as a felony with up to 2 years on a first offense.
- Florida: more than 20 grams is a third-degree felony, up to 5 years and a $5,000 fine.
- Georgia: more than 1 ounce (28.35 grams) is a felony carrying 1 to 10 years.
- Texas: 4 ounces to 5 pounds (113 to 2,268 grams) is a state jail felony, 180 days to 2 years.
- Arkansas: more than 4 ounces (113 grams) but less than 10 pounds is a Class D felony.
- Kentucky: 8 ounces (227 grams) or more is a Class D felony, 1 to 5 years.
In adult-use states, legal possession limits of 1 to 2 ounces usually sit far below the felony line. Felony exposure in those states tends to arrive with possession above a set ceiling or with evidence of sales.
What is the federal felony threshold for marijuana?
Under 21 U.S.C. 841, distributing any amount of marijuana is a felony punishable by up to 5 years for less than 50 kilograms. Simple possession under 21 U.S.C. 844 is a misdemeanor on a first offense and can escalate to a felony after a prior felony drug conviction.
Federal sentencing also weighs the whole mixture, not just the active THC. A cannabis-infused product may be weighed as prepared rather than by its THC content.
Can a small amount become a felony?
Yes. Weight is one factor among several, and the surrounding facts can push a small quantity into felony territory.
- Intent to distribute: baggies, a scale, ledgers, or large cash amounts can support a sales charge.
- Concentrates: some states place THC oils and waxes in a stricter penalty group, where 1 gram or more is a felony.
- Edibles: the full weight of the finished product may count toward the threshold.
- School zones: possession or sales near a school, park, or daycare can add an enhancement.
- Prior convictions: repeat offenses upgrade a misdemeanor to a felony in many states.
What should you do if you are charged?
Speak with a criminal defense attorney in the state where the charge was filed before entering any plea. The applicable weight, the penalty group, and the charging statute decide whether the case is a misdemeanor or a felony, and those details are listed on the charging document.
This guide is general information and not legal advice. Gram thresholds change when legislatures amend drug statutes, so confirm the current law for your state.