Homegrown Marijuana, Drug Cultivation, Trafficking Charges
Overview of Charges of Marijuana Crimes in New Jersey
Marijuana, also commonly referred to as “pot”, occupies a unique position on the spectrum of illegal drugs: it’s so commonly used, and its effects are so mild compared to those of “hard-core” drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine, that the laws against its use often go unenforced. It is rare for a random individual to be arrested for the simple use or possession of marijuana, unless they are caught smoking a joint in public in full view of a police officer.
Use and Simple Possession of Marijuana
In many cases, arrests for the use of marijuana or possession or distribution of marijuana occur when police are looking to pin some kind of tangible crime on an “undesirable” person. If, for example, you’ve been pulled over for a traffic violation, an officer may notice the presence of small amounts of marijuana in your car and turn a speeding citation into a more serious charge to include drug possession. Also, in the state of New Jersey, the drug laws are complicated by added penalties if you’re caught using, possessing or distributing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school or school bus or 500 feet of a housing project or public park. More About Charges of Use and Possession of Marijuana
Distribution of Marijuana, Intent to Distribute
The authorities may often choose to ignore the simple use and possession of marijuana, but that’s not the case with the distribution of this drug. If you’ve been apprehended holding more than a certain amount of marijuana, you may be subject to an “intent to distribute” charge, which carries more severe penalties than simple use or possession. This is where New Jersey treats marijuana more sympathetically than other drugs: whereas you need only possess more than five ounces of crystal meth or ecstasy to be charged with a first-degree crime, you’d need to have in your possession 25 pounds of marijuana to incur the same penalties. [More About Charges of Distribution of Marijuana]
Growing, Cultivation, Manufacturing, Drug Trafficking of Marijuana
Even worse than the distribution of 5, 10 or 25 pounds of marijuana is the large-scale cultivation (growing and manufacturing) and trafficking of marijuana, or its derivative, hashish. Drug trafficking and growing marijuana on a large scale is likely to attract the attention of state and federal authorities.
While it’s unlikely that you’ll be arrested for growing a single marijuana plant in your home garden, an entire farm or greenhouse can expose you to severe drug trafficking charges that will require the intervention of an experienced lawyer.
Experienced Drug Crimes Defense Attorneys
If you have been charged with use, possession, growing, distribution, or trafficking of marijuana you could be facing serious drug charges from the state, and possibly a federal crime. Our New Jersey criminal defense lawyers will work hard to reduce the charges against you, or, if you are innocent, to have the charges dismissed.