Arkansas has some laws in local jurisdictions that have either fully or partially decriminalized marijuana. State law, however, considers possession of even a small amount a misdemeanor or worse.
If you live in a city that has decriminalized marijuana, you should look up the specific laws and penalties if you choose to use the substance. If you are traveling through the state or a state trooper pulls you over, you may be subject to the following penalties.
Misdemeanor possession
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law states that if it is your first offense and you have less than 4 ounces, police may charge you with a misdemeanor. This can include a fine of up to $2,500 and a jail sentence of up to one year.
If you have a prior marijuana conviction, you may be subject to felony charges.
Felony possession
If police catch you with anywhere between 1 and 4 ounces and it is not your first offense, the potential felony charge can include a maximum fine of $10,000 and a prison sentence of up to six years. If you have an amount between 4 ounces and 10 pounds, you may be subject to the same penalties even if it is only your first offense.
If police find you in possession of an amount between 10 and 25 pounds, you may be subject to the mandatory minimum sentence of three years, though it is possible to face a 10-year sentence. The maximum fine for this amount is still $10,000. With amounts above 25 pounds, the maximum fines increase to $15,000, and the potential prison sentences increase incrementally.
