Purchasing Marijuana

Throughout the United States, it is typically illegal to purchase marijuana even for personal or recreational use. However, the severity of the charge varies, as do the penalties that accompany the charge. Florida’s marijuana laws are particularly strict in comparison with other states. Florida lawmakers and police justify the stringent laws with the claim that purchasing and trying marijuana encourages individuals to delve further into drugs, possibly engaging in the drug trade or at least trying harder, more dangerous drugs in the future.

In the state of Florida, you can be arrested for purchasing marijuana in any amount. If you purchase 20 grams or less, you can be sentenced to one year in jail and fined $1,000. By contrast, California law issues only a $100 fine and no arrest for purchasing 28.5 grams of marijuana or less. As long as you have a prescription from your physician, California also allows marijuana to be purchased and used for medicinal purposes. In Florida, on the other hand, even purchasing marijuana for medicinal use is illegal.

While you can argue that the laws in Florida are too strict, this argument won’t get you anywhere in court. If you have been arrested for purchasing marijuana, consider contacting a criminal defense attorney immediately. A criminal defense lawyer can review the details of your arrest to look for any violations of your right to privacy or evidence that you were the victim of a sting operation. A good criminal defense attorney will also gather all possible evidence and witnesses to help with your defense and will fight aggressively against overzealous prosecution.

Contact Us

For sound legal advice and assistance with a marijuana possession charge, don’t hesitate to contact the experienced West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.