U.S. lawmakers consider relaxed marijuana restrictions

March 26, 2013 (Press-News.org) U.S. lawmakers consider relaxed marijuana restrictions

Over the last few years, societal attitudes toward marijuana use have changed significantly. Many states now allow the use of marijuana for medical reasons and two -- Colorado and Washington -- recently allowed recreational use of the drug. Given this state-level trend, it should come as no surprise to learn that some in Congress are working to relax federal marijuana laws as well.

The proposed laws are nowhere close to a full-scale marijuana legalization scheme. However, they do signal a first step toward changing attitudes in a body that has historically been very reluctant to soften its attitudes toward marijuana.

One bill seeks to legalize the production of industrial hemp, a plant that is very similar to marijuana but does not share the same psychoactive properties. Another would regulate marijuana much in the same way as alcohol -- states would still get to decide whether to legalize the drug, but federal oversight would be transferred from the Drug Enforcement Administration to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. (The agency would be renamed as the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana and Firearms.") If the bill became law, it would still be illegal to transport marijuana from a state where it was legal to a state where it was not.

Another bill aims to find a way for the federal government to profit off state legalization. It would impose a 50 percent excise tax on each "first sale" of marijuana. Usually, this is the transaction between a grower and a processer or distributor. It would also place annual taxes on marijuana producers, importers, retailers and other pot-centric businesses.

A further piece of legislation would reschedule marijuana into a less-restrictive category. Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug. Schedule I is the most restrictive category and is reserved for drugs that have significant safety risks and no accepted medical use. Even cocaine is not classified as strictly as marijuana.

New Jersey marijuana penalties

Even though attitudes toward marijuana are changing, it is important to understand that the possession, sale and cultivation of marijuana are still treated as serious crimes under both New Jersey and federal law.

In New Jersey, the possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana is a disorderly person offense punishable by six months of incarceration and fine of $1,000. Anything more than that, though, is a felony that can bring up to 1.5 years in prison. Selling any amount of marijuana is felony. Depending on the amount sold, the penalties can range between 1.5 and 20 years in prison. Selling anything more than an ounce will bring mandatory prison time. Growing marijuana is punished similarly -- even growing one plant can bring three years in prison.

The penalties under federal law are even stricter. While most marijuana possession cases are prosecuted under state law, under federal law, a second offense for possessing any amount of marijuana carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence. Federal prosecutions for the sale or cultivation of marijuana are more likely -- depending on the amount at issue, the penalties can range anywhere from five years to life in prison.

Because of the significant penalties attached to marijuana crimes, it is important for people charged with state or federal offenses to seek the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The attorney will be able to review all of the facts and evidence in the case to ensure that the accused person's rights are well-protected.

Article provided by The Tormey Law Firm, LLC
Visit us at www.bergencountycriminaldefensedwilawyer.com/