Columbia Possession of marijuana ordinance (§ 16-253)

(a) Possession of marijuana by minors. It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one (21) years to purchase, possess, use, consume or transport marijuana, except as otherwise authorized for medicinal purposes in section 16-255.1 of this Code. A violation of this subsection is punishable as an infraction, Type II, under section 16-255.2.

(b) Public places. It shall be unlawful for any person to consume marijuana in a public place, other than in an area licensed, or otherwise authorized by, local, state or federal laws. For purposes of this section, a "public place" shall mean any public or private property, or portion thereof, that is open to the general public, including, but not limited to, sidewalks, streets, parking facilities, bridges, parks, schools, and businesses. A violation of this subsection is punishable as an infraction, Type II, under section 16-255.2.

(c) Motorized transportation. It shall be unlawful for any person to consume marijuana while operating or being in physical control of any motor vehicle, train, aircraft, motorboat, or other motorized form of transport. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke marijuana within a motor vehicle, train, aircraft, motorboat, or other motorized form of transport while it is being operated. A violation of this subsection is punishable as an infraction, Type II, under section 16-255.2.

(d) Schools and correctional facilities. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or consume marijuana, or possess marijuana paraphernalia, on the grounds of a public or private preschool, elementary or secondary school, in a school bus, or on the grounds of any correctional facility. A violation of this subsection is punishable as a misdemeanor under section 16-255.2.

(e) Clean indoor air. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke marijuana in a location where smoking tobacco is prohibited by law, including but not limited to restrictions provided by Chapter 11, Article IX, of this Code. A violation of this subsection is punishable as an infraction, Type II, under section 16-255.2.

(f) Excessive amount. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess more than three (3) ounces of marijuana, except as otherwise authorized for medicinal purposes in section 16-225.1 of this Code. A violation of this subsection is punishable as an infraction, Type I, under section 16-255.2.

(g) Supplying marijuana to minors. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise supply marijuana to any person who is under the age of twenty-one (21) years and is not otherwise authorized to possess marijuana for medicinal purposes in section 16-255.1 of this Code. A violation of this subsection is punishable as a misdemeanor under section 16-255.2.