Got weed for Christmas in another state? What to know about bringing it back to MS
Christmas is the season of giving, so why not give a gift that keeps on giving. Am I right?
Well, for some, that means handing out the green and no, we aren’t talking about cash.
Let’s just say you’re given some legal marijuana while traveling for the holidays. Can you take it back home with you? I mean, it was a gift, right?
Here’s what the law says.
Can I bring legal marijuana into Mississippi?
Well, the short answer is no, but there’s a bit more to it.
According to the Mississippi State Cannabis website, it is a civil offense to have up to 30 grams of marijuana and you will probably be required to pay a fine of $250. Multiple offenses could mean bigger fines and jail time.
If you were gifted more than 30 grams of weed for Christmas, it could cost you big time in Mississippi.
For a person who is caught with more than 30 grams, it is considered a felony and comes with jail time for up to three years. If you possess more than that, the jail time increases and could go up to 16 years.
So, can I just sneak some into the state while driving?
Also, no. In Mississippi, it is illegal to transport marijuana from one state to another, even if the destination has legalized cannabis.
“Under federal law and Mississippi law, marijuana is a Schedule I substance. Marijuana is still illegal at the national level, and moving them across state lines is a federal crime,” according to the Mississippi State Cannabis website.
If you are actually caught with it while traveling, there are more things to consider, like if you already have a criminal record and if you have more drugs on you than just marijuana.
If you’re caught with marijuana at the airport, you could be arrested on site.
“TSA agents may be more concerned with terrorism and large-scale drug trafficking. However, marijuana possession is still a federal crime,” according to LawInfo.org.
Sorry, Mississippi residents. Looks like you’ll have to turn away the gift of weed this year.
What are your reactions to this story? Let us know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published December 19, 2023 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Got weed for Christmas in another state? What to know about bringing it back to MS."
