Major Developments Major Developments by Calendar Year

Using Marijuana, an illicit drug is a rising problem in the present world. The use of this drug is increasing in such a way that the maximum number of people are getting affected by its harmful effects, while many are spoiling their valuable lives in marijuana possession.

For now let us check the arrests involving marijuana in one way or the other. The main aim of the states is to target drug smugglers and king pins under the name of War on Drugs. With this intent the department arrested a total number of 1,663,582 people for drug abuse violations for the year 2009, and among them 51.6% were for marijuana. This percentage brings the marijuana abusers in US to a total of 858,408. And among this total, an estimate 758,593 people were arrested for marijuana possession all alone which constitutes to 45.6% and 6% were being arrested for marijuana trafficking and sales.

In US the percentage of total drug arrests rose from 39.9% in 1995 to 52.6% in 2009. similarly, the arrests for the possession of marijuana hiked from 34.1% in 1995 to 45.6% in 2009. Arrests for marijuana possession have risen from about 1/3rd to ½ of all the drug abuse violation arrests over the fifteen year period from 1995-2009.

These percentage change values for marijuana arrests confirm their upward trend. This data is collected from the FBI Uniform Crime Reports and remained as a clear evidence of the number of people suffering from marijuana.

Even though marijuana abuse is a most threatening problem, only some states are following strict rules to control its possession. Every year US police prosecutes nearly 8,50,000 Americans for violating state marijuana laws. They impose some small penalties and leave them simply. But there are five states which strictly follow the laws and impose severe punishments even for a small pot bust. Let us have a look on the states and the laws.

Oklahoma: The law makers of Oklahoma made a bill which imposes a minimum of two years imprisonment and a maximum of life in prison for the people who cultivate pot. This law will come in to force from 1st November 2011.

Texas: It is the only state which arrests maximum of its citizens for pot possession is Texas. In 2009, more than 97 % of all the marijuana arrests in Texas, consisted of 77,000 people for possession only. Those who are convicted, face up to 180 days in jail and $2000 fine.

Florida: This is the only state which imposes severe punishments even for minor pot possession. Under the states law, the possession of 20 grams of marijuana and even less is considered as a crime and the accused needs to face 1 year imprisonment and $1000 fine, and the cultivation of single marijuana plant is punishable by 5 year imprisonment along with a fine of $5000.

Louisiana: In Louisiana, repeated pot offenders are punished heavily. If a person caught having marijuana possession for the second time he is punishable up to five years of imprisonment, and for the third time it is up to 20 years.

Arizona: Under Arizona laws, even minor possession for the first time may be prosecuted as felony crime and the person is punishable up to 18 months in jail and $150,000 fine. This is the first state which will take severe action on the first time pot possession.

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