• Most marijuana in Nevada is illegally imported from Mexico.Cannabis image by Pablo Peyrol?3n from Fotolia.com
  
  Nevada treats some marijuana possession violations as minor crimes with penalties similar to traffic violations. The state prosecutes growing, distributing or selling marijuana as felony crimes with harsher sentences. Using marijuana for medical treatment in the state has been legal since 2001. According to Criminal Defense.com, more than 5,000 people are arrested for marijuana violations every year. Most of the marijuana available in Nevada comes from illegal Mexican drug-trafficking groups, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
  
  

Marijuana Possession

• Possessing small amounts can be a minor crime. Trafficking carries heavy penalties.Marijuana image by spiller from Fotolia.com
  
  Possession of less than an ounce of marijuana by individuals younger than 21 years carries fines up to $1,000 and possible drug rehabilitation for the first and second offenses. A third offense is punishable with up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. A fourth offense is a felony with up to a $5,000 fine and one to four years in prison.
  
  For those over 21 years old, the first and second offenses are misdemeanors requiring drug treatment. A third offense is a felony.
  
  

Selling or Growing

• Selling, growing or distributing less than 100 pounds of marijuana carries fines of up to $20,000 and prison terms of one to 15 years for the first, second and third offenses. Penalties increase for larger amounts of marijuana. For more than 100 pounds, a fine up to $25,000 and one to five years in prison can be imposed; for more than 2,000 pounds, a $50,000 fine and two to 20 years incarceration is possible; and, the penalities for more than 10,000 pounds include a $200,000 fine and up to life in prison.
  
  

Driving Under Influence

• Individuals caught driving with detectable amounts of THC in their blood in Nevada can be convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) of marijuana. THC is the main psychoactive substance in marijuana. Penalties for a first offense are up to six months in jail, a $1,175 fine and a 90-day driver's license suspension. Penalties increase with repeated offenses with up to a $5,085 fine, three-year suspension and one to six years in prison for the third violation. Driving with a license suspended for DUI is punishable by a $1,000 fine, 30 days in jail and an additional one year suspension.
  
  

Medical Marijuana

• Marijuana is legal in Nevada for treating AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and any condition that causes seizures, severe pain, nausea or weight loss from disease. Patients and caregivers can grow and possess small amounts for medical purposes. Patients must obtain a doctor's documentation that the user has a medical condition that can be treated with marijuana.
  
  

Other Violations

• Possessing marijuana paraphernalia is punishable by fines up to $1,000 and six months in jail. Selling paraphernalia carries fines up to $5,000 and one to four years in prison.
  
  

Tax

• Nevada requires individuals who legally possess marijuana for medical purposes to buy state tax stamps. The tax stamps must be placed on the marijuana.