NJ Marijuana-Related Charges
Marijuana has become legal in some states in the US recently, which may have you wondering if you could still get into legal trouble for having it. In New Jersey, it is not a recreational drug. You could be charged for possession and selling marijuana. Here is what you need to know about marijuana-related charges in New Jersey.
Legality of Marijuana
Many people that get charged with marijuana, 50 grams or less, are wondering, “Isn’t marijuana legal in the state of New Jersey?”
The truth of the matter is, marijuana is not legal. There’s medical marijuana, where you can get a certification from a doctor to buy marijuana through a dispensary. Some of those dispensaries are in Montclair, and there are some others around the state, but marijuana is not yet legal. It’s been decriminalized to the extent where you can apply for a conditional discharge if you’re eligible, but unlike other states like Washington State and Colorado, where marijuana is legal for any use, in the state of New Jersey, our governor has not made it legal.
Possession of Marijuana
Let’s say you’ve been charged with possession of marijuana. There are marijuana arrests sometimes in New Jersey especially on college campuses. Sometimes it’s the security guards who find the people and they call the police and now they have to be processed. They have to go to the Mahwah Municipal Court. It’s serious enough that you should be properly represented.
A lot has to do with your background. The idea behind representation is to allow you to not have a problem in the future with employment.
Charged 50 Grams or Less
If you’re charged with less than less than 50 grams of marijuana in the state of New Jersey, you have to report to the municipal court. You’re charged with a disorderly person’s offense, something that you’re not going to want on your record. What you should do is make sure you go to court and make sure that you contact an attorney.
Selling Marijuana
If you have been accused of selling marijuana, that’s a serious offense. It’s an indictable offense. It’s something that will be processed in the Superior Court in Bergen County.
First and foremost, you must find an experienced criminal defense attorney who is someone who does criminal law for their entire career every day—day in and day out—not your friend’s buddy’s uncle who does real estate but does an occasional criminal case. It’s a serious charge and you should have an attorney who knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system, so they can navigate that with you.
If you have been charged with any of these marijuana-related charges, contact New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney Carl Spector. He has handled thousands of these cases throughout his career and provides you the best representation.