Marijuana Possession Is A Huge Deal

October 20, 2020

Marijuana Possession Is A Huge Deal

Three rolled joints and marijuana buds with a grinder on a dark surface.

Eleven states and Washington, D.C. have legalized the possession of recreational marijuana, 33 states have legalized the possession of medical marijuana, and more than half of the states have at least decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana. However, Alabama does not fit into any of these categories, and the possession of marijuana continues to be a huge deal in the Heart of Dixie.

The United States House of Representatives is set to vote on federal legalization later in September 2020, which would aim to standardize the patchwork of inconsistent laws that currently govern possession of the substance. The measure’s future is highly uncertain, though, so in the meantime, it is important to recognize that marijuana possession is still a crime in Alabama, and a conviction can result in harsh penalties.

Marijuana Charges and Penalties

While some states consider marijuana possession to be an infraction with no possible jail time, the possession of any amount of marijuana for personal use is a misdemeanor charge in Alabama. A conviction can mean:

●   Up to one year in jail
●   Fines up to $6,000

If you are accused of possessing marijuana for another purpose other than personal use, such as sale or distribution, you can face felony charges. The possible penalties include:

●   A minimum jail sentence of one year and one day, and up to ten years in prison
●   Fines up to $15,000

The penalties increase substantially for charges of selling or trafficking marijuana. Note that the above charges apply to any amount, so even allegations of having the smallest amount of marijuana can result in costly fines and possible jail time.

In addition, a drug-related conviction can have many lasting consequences, even after you finish your court-ordered penalties. These might include the following and more:

●   Losing your job
●   Difficulty getting hired for a new job
●   Difficulty finding rental housing
●   Disqualification for benefits or financial aid
●   Suspension or expulsion from colleges or universities, especially from collegiate athletics
●   Losing or being denied a professional license
●   Possible child custody issues

As you can see, a seemingly minor marijuana possession charge can, in reality, impact your life in many costly and dramatic ways for years to come.

Fighting Against Your Charges

It is important to seek the help of an experienced drug crime defense lawyer if you were arrested for marijuana possession. There are many ways the right lawyer can help, such as:

●   Getting evidence thrown out due to 4th Amendment violations
●   Challenging constructive possession
●   Challenging the sufficiency of the prosecutor’s evidence
●   Identifying forensic lab errors
●   Showing that you actually possessed lawful CBD
●   Qualifying you for drug court, which can dismiss your charges
●   Reaching a favorable plea bargain, such as for probation instead of jail time

Speak with a Montgomery Drug Possession Defense Attorney

You should always take marijuana charges extremely seriously, and criminal defense lawyer Matt Matthews can help limit the consequences that you might face. Call The Law Office of Richard F. (Matt) Matthews, Jr., today at 334-398-8408 or contact us online for more information.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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