Medical Marijuana Lawyers - Getting You Out Of Trouble

It wasn’t long ago that medical marijuana lawyers were completely unheard of. As laws change, however, there are attorneys who are devoting themselves almost exclusively to this form of defense. As more states pass new laws regarding the therapeutic use of cannabis, this number will only grow. One of the primary problems is a lack of understanding on both the part of the police and prosecutors. This is combined with a lack of knowledge on the part of the defendants. All of this ignorance combines to send many cases through the court system when they should have been left alone to begin with. If you’ve found yourself at the center of one of these cases, here are some facts that can help.

In some instances, the problem facing medical marijuana lawyers comes down to the differences between federal and state laws. The drug is still illegal according to national laws in the United States, with no exceptions. However, this puts individuals involved in the buying and selling of these drugs in a quandary where they are abiding by the laws of their state, yet not by the laws of the country. The DEA has authority to arrest individuals for violation of federal laws in many instances, as they override local jurisdiction. These cases are becoming infrequent as additional states begin to legalize the medical use of these substances, but it is still possible to get caught in the trap.

There is also a gray area when it comes to prescriptions. In some states, it is permissible to own a personal amount of the drug if you have a prescription. Some of these states also have laws which mandate that no charges will be brought to bear if the defendant can prove they have a condition that would have otherwise obtained them a prescription, should they have seen a doctor beforehand. Of course, at this point in the game the defendant has already been arrested. And proving something after the fact is quite a bit more difficult; particularly once the state already has some money invested in the prosecution. This is why any medical marijuana lawyers will advise individuals to get a legal prescription before obtaining the drug.

As any individual who is being charged with a crime, there is no question that you need medical marijuana lawyers by your side. The worst mistake you can make is to attempt to defend yourself against the charges without legal assistance. A good attorney will have plenty of experience with the laws and will know exactly what kind of defense to put on to give you the best chance of success. He will also be able to offer you advice on how you can stay out of trouble in the future.