Marijuana is the most frequently abused unlawful drug within the United States. Marijuana is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, classified as having a very high potential for abuse. Street names for marijuana include grass, pot, weed, Mary Jane, dope, indo, and hydro. Marijuana possession laws can impose strict penalties under specific situations.

Possession of marijuana (sometimes referred to as simple possession) is the most common drug crime in the United States. Regarded as a misdemeanor in a majority of states, marijuana possession penalties include fines, probation, and/or community service. Criminal possession of marijuana is the next level up in marijuana possession violations and consists of possession of marijuana in a public place where it is either burning or in open public view in quantities of more than 2 ounces but less eight oz .. Criminal possession of marijuana is also a misdemeanor but the consequences increase along with the possibility of jail time.

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Theoretically, under federal drug law, the possession of marijuana, in any amount, is punishable by up to one full year in prison including a minimum fine of $1,000 for the first conviction. Additional convictions and larger amounts bring about much stiffer penalties. Relatively few marijuana possession court cases give rise to a felony level crime. Marijuana distribution, however, will be a felony under federal law. The sale of less than 50 kilos of marijuana (the smallest amount category) is punishable by 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

Marijuana is generally consumed in its organic state, the plant by itself utilized in various ways to produce a hallucinogenic effect on the user. Abuse and use of the cannabis plant as a means for getting high dates back to biblical times. The advent of laws criminalizing the use of the drug occurred sometime in the course of the twentieth century, with struggles to legalize the use of marijuana argued ever since, its use among Native Americans in religious ceremonies and the use of the drug by cancer patients to relieve nausea being the most recurrent arguments used for its legalization, including a major change in the marijuana possession laws.

Marijuana production's principal origin is Mexico. The majority of foreign-produced marijuana accessible within the United States is smuggled into the country from Mexico over the Mexico border by criminal groups. Mexican criminal groups control most of wholesale marijuana distribution within the United States, with Asian criminal groups which bring in the product over the Canadian border running a close second. The potency of Canadian marijuana being thought to be superior to the Mexican version has resulted in an increase in Asian control of marijuana production and distribution. According to the National Drug Threat Assessment 2007, high potency Canada-based smuggling, distribution and production groups are increasing, giving rise to large-scale cannabis cultivation in large outdoor sites by both Mexican and Asian groups. Moreover, in an effort to stay competitive in the higher potency marijuana distribution trade, Asian groups have started operating indoor grow sites in homes throughout the Pacific Northwest and California. The trend is to purchase or lease a house, modify the residence for the purpose of producing two to four crops of cannabis and walking away from the property after the crops are harvested.

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Challenges to current marijuana production and distribution laws are ongoing, with many states decriminalizing certain marijuana usage for specific medical ailments. Nevertheless , in United States v. Oakland Cannabis Club, the United States Supreme Court ruled that marijuana has no medical value as determined by Congress. The court's opinion stated that: €In the case of the Controlled Substances Act, the statue reflects a determination that marijuana doesn't have medical benefits worthy of an exception outside of the confines of government-approved research projects.€

In 2002, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued a verdict which upheld the Drug Enforcement Act's determination that marijuana should remain a Schedule I controlled substance, the most restrictive schedule under the Controlled Substance Act. The marijuana debate and court battles will undoubtedly continue to occasionally appear in the United States Court system for years to come.

Defenses for those guilty of breaking marijuana possession laws, and distribution of marijuana laws, generally revolve around the misuse of police power to search and seize property and assets. Illegal search and seizure, illegal surveillance, and entrapment are the primary means of defending an arrest of marijuana possession or marijuana distribution.

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Texas courts take marijuana possession charges seriously, and so should you. Multiple convictions of marijuana possession can result in felony charges. Hence, you want to fight every charge you face, not just now , but to safeguard your rights in the future as well. Because possession criminal charges can easily bring about growing and cultivation criminal charges, you want a lawyer who can lower virtually all potential damages.

The Finest Houston Drug Crimes Attorney is going to protect your privileges under the law and fight for you against marijuana possession charges.

The severity of the charges you face is determined by the quantity of marijuana. Should you are caught with under two ounces, you will face minor misdemeanor criminal charges, but the repercussions go up steeply from there. Possession of two to four ounces is defined as a Class A Misdemeanor, and possession if over four ounces is recognized as a felony.

No one wants a drug charge on their permanent record, so our first step is to have the criminal charges completely dismissed. If dismissal or an acquittal at trial isn't really conceivable, we will seek to reduce the criminal charges or diminish the penalties where possible.

For first-time offenders, we will explore diversionary programs as well. By seeking proper drug treatment, you may very well be able to avoid jail time. We shall help you examine all potential alternative sentencing methods.

Juvenile Marijuana Possession

Marijuana has a distinctive odor, and so it is dangerous for minors to smoke it anywhere: in a car, at home, or in a dorm room. Authorities can certainly smell it and a second infraction can lead to severe penalties, including the loss of student loans. We handle juvenile crimes involving marijuana possession as well as criminal court cases.

If you or a loved one have been arrested for marijuana possession, you want an experienced lawyer who is able to stand up for your legal rights right right now. Speak to the best right now for a complimentary preliminary consultation.