Even though many states are pursing decriminalization of marijuana, this is still a drug that is illegal on a federal level. The federal government hasn’t been aggressive in the prosecution of many marijuana cases. Instead, it is leaving the vast majority of these cases to states to handle. Of course, there are some exceptions to this.
When the federal government does pursue charges for marijuana, you need to make sure that you are evaluating your options each step of the way. You should also make sure you understand the basis of the case.
One thing to remember is that according to the Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is a Schedule I drug. This is a classification that means the government doesn’t recognize any medical use for the drug, that it is highly addictive and that it can’t be prescribed in a safe manner. This is often thought to be an incorrect classification, but it is still important in the criminal justice system.
The conflict between a state’s decriminalization and the federal government’s outlaw of the drug can greatly impact more people than just those who have it in their possession or those who sell it. Landlords can also face some legal penalties if they knowingly rent a property to a person involved in the marijuana industry, even if the person is operating within the confines of the state’s law.
No matter what type of drug charges, you should find out what options you have. These can vary from one case to another, so be sure you are basing your decisions on your own case and not what happened to another person.
