Moving to Minnesota, what does decriminilized mean?

I currently live in Canada where possesion and use of MJ are not enforced with any regularity. I am a light user (7 grams ever 3-4 months). And I never carry more then a joint, or a few bowls for my vaporizer on me.

I am moving to St. Paul Minnesota and I was wondering what the enforcement was like there. According to NORML's website, Minnesota has decriminalized MJ for personal use under 42.5 grams (I probably haven't smoked that much in my life) and if arrested I will recive a misdemeanor and a $200 fine.

My question is this. Since I am Canadian and will only have a temporary work visa, will I face any harsher punishment? And what exactly is a misdemeanor? Will it show up on a criminal record?

Thanks!

Yes, a misdemeanor will show up on your a criminal record unless you work out a plea deal with the prosecuting district attorney that includes wiping your record clean.

And yes, it is possible you could face harsher punishment because you are here on a visa. I don't mean "harsher" to mean a bigger fine or longer jail time, but rather they might not work with you as cooperatively on things like wiping your record and all because they don't like foreigners coming here and committing crimes. Also, I would imagine it is possible your visa could get revoked. I don't know though. If I were you I would find an experienced criminal lawyer in St. Paul, shell out a hundred bucks or so, and get the question answered that way. She or he is the only one that will have enough experience to truly answer your question.

And don't worry, lawyers (by U.S. law) cannot tell the police anything that their client tells them unless they tell them they are about to kill someone. It is called "attorney-client privilege." So feel free to tell whatever lawyer you ask that you smoke moderately or whatever as long as it is clear you are a client and are paying them (not just talking to them in a bar). Attorney client privilege kicks in when you actually become a client seeking legal advice from a lawyer.

Wow that sucks. For how often I smoke, it wouldn't really be worth it to go through the hassle of doing all that. And from what I am reading on the rest of the boards it can be hard to find a reliable dealer and weed is twice the price in MN as it is in Canada. Also there is no possible way it could be this good.

I really appreciate the response, it answered my question perfectly!

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Originally Posted by SirMunchALot

Wow that sucks. For how often I smoke, it wouldn't really be worth it to go through the hassle of doing all that. And from what I am reading on the rest of the boards it can be hard to find a reliable dealer and weed is twice the price in MN as it is in Canada. Also there is no possible way it could be this good.

I really appreciate the response, it answered my question perfectly!

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I gurantee you get there and end up smoking MN is one of the laxest weed states in the USA. The guy above is clueless. Just go and scope it out im sure youll feel more comfortable when you get there MN is very liberal.

Well, I dunno about the whole decriminalized thing but I'll tell you... Getting busted with some here is still a misdimeanor unless you're caught with a larger amount (I forget how much exactly is the distinguishing amount). But, if you are caught with a large amount it's a harsher penalty and depending on how much you can automatically be charged with intent to distribute regardless of wether you were or not and then it's a WAY harsher penalty. Getting caught with paraphenelia or a small amount usually ranges between $150-$200 fine.

As far as the quality and reliability of dealers around here, you may have to have a couple dealers who get from different plugs to ensure you get some all the time but it's never really a problem finding some. I've found for the most part the quality of weed up here is great (yes there's the shitty stuff too, that's everywhere). But I say with no exaggeration I've been able to get some of the best strains around up here. (Thunderfucks, Kushes, AK's, etc... and all the crazy hybrids) The downside is occasionally it's a little pricier, but that's usually for the really good strains in wich case it;'s usually worth it. For the most part the prices are comparible to what you'd pay anywhere else in the midwest. I've had friends come visit or move here from other states and have been quite impressed with the bud they can find around here.

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Originally Posted by HerbalConfusion

I gurantee you get there and end up smoking MN is one of the laxest weed states in the USA. The guy above is clueless. Just go and scope it out im sure youll feel more comfortable when you get there MN is very liberal.

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The above poster concentrated just on the meaning of the term misdemeanor and not that actual probability of getting caught in MN. From his profile I see that he is in law school right now and that makes me appricate him taking his time to post that much more.

*To the above poster

Thanks for the info on MN bud! A couple of the guys I am working with go to the U of MN so if they know where to get the good stuff I can go in with them or something. Thanks for the help!

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Originally Posted by HerbalConfusion

I gurantee you get there and end up smoking MN is one of the laxest weed states in the USA. The guy above is clueless. Just go and scope it out im sure youll feel more comfortable when you get there MN is very liberal.

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I didn't say he would get caught or that he shouldn't smoke. Plus he didn't ask what his chances were of getting caught. I said I don't know how a misdemeanor drug conviction would effect his visa status, and that if he wants to get an answer to a question that specific question he should talk to a MN lawyer. If you know the answer to that question... by all means let us know. Otherwise, chill with the insults.