The 2020 elections brought along with it a lot of blue, a lot of red, and a little bit of green. Many cannabis policy reform bills were introduced throughout the country and resulted in four states legalizing marijuana. According to an article by Forbes, an estimated 40,000 people today are incarcerated for marijuana offenses only. This number increases into the millions for those Americans with past marijuana-related criminal records. Due to COVID-19, the unemployment rate in the country is 6.9%. However, for those who have a criminal record, the unemployment rate is 35%. This differs drastically from the seemingly positive approval for cannabis policy reform bills we saw this year. In Florida, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of one-year imprisonment and a maximum fine of $1,000. Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000. Although medical marijuana is legal, it is only permitted for legal use under certain health conditions. So, what should someone do if they are caught in this predicament?
We have listed 3 tips below on what to do:
1. Did the officers illegally coerce the marijuana out of your home, vehicle, or during a body search? This can be used to dismiss the charges.
2. Were you unaware that the substance near you was marijuana or of the illegality of marijuana in Florida? If so, this defense can be used.
3. Is this a first-time offense? The right lawyer can help you get into a diversion program that gets your charges dismissed and can then seal or expunge your record.
At the law offices of Michael B. Cohen, we look at every single circumstance revolving around your case. With a proven history of being knowledgeable in drug crime defenses, we will fight to reduce the charge or get it dismissed completely to keep your record clean. Call today for a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.