2016 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 21a - Consumer Protection
Chapter 420b - Dependency-Producing Drugs
Section 21a-279a - Penalty for illegal possession of small amount of cannabis-type substance.

(a) Any person who possesses or has under his control less than one-half ounce of a cannabis-type substance, as defined in section 21a-240, except as authorized in this chapter, shall (1) for a first offense, be fined one hundred fifty dollars, and (2) for a subsequent offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars.

(b) The law enforcement officer issuing a complaint for a violation of subsection (a) of this section shall seize the cannabis-type substance and cause such substance to be destroyed as contraband in accordance with law.

(c) Any person who, at separate times, has twice entered a plea of nolo contendere to, or been found guilty after trial of, a violation of subsection (a) of this section shall, upon a subsequent plea of nolo contendere to, or finding of guilty of, a violation of said subsection, be referred for participation in a drug education program at such person's own expense.

(P.A. 11-71, S. 1, 11.)

History: P.A. 11-71 effective July 1, 2011.

Section changed penalty for possessing less than one-half ounce of marijuana from potential term of imprisonment and large fine to merely a fine for first and subsequent offenses and decriminalized said possession for purposes of the erasure provisions in Sec. 54-142d. 315 C. 861.