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Laws Related to Drug Paraphernalia

The information presented is not legal advice and categorizing laws in this way is subject to reviewer interpretation; it is not a comprehensive analysis of all the legal provisions that could implicate the legality of access to clean needles and syringes in a given jurisdiction. To view information for each state and the District of Columbia (DC), hover over a state on the map or view the table below.

This map provides an assessment of whether a state or DC law exists that exempts syringes and needles from the definition of drug paraphernalia.  One of three categories is indicated for each jurisdiction:

Yes: State law specifically exempts syringes and needles from the definition of drug paraphernalia

Limited: State law either decriminalizes syringes and needles for participants of an authorized syringe service program and/or state law allows for a person to avoid criminal prosecution for possession of drug paraphernalia by disclosing to the arresting officer that they possess a needle/syringe or other sharp object

No: Syringes and needles are considered drug paraphernalia

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