Is Moving Marijuana Across State Lines a Federal Crime?

 Posted on September 16, 2022 in Federal Crimes

Imagine a fairly common scenario: A group of college buddies from Texas goes on a road trip to California, where marijuana is legal. Visiting several dispensaries, the group stocks up on flower, vape pens, and dabs, and then gets ready to head back home. The group figures they might share some of the product with friends, sell a little of it, or maybe keep it all for themselves. No big deal, right? 

But when the group is driving back through Texas, they get pulled over by a highway patrol officer for driving nine miles over the speed limit. The officer claims he smells marijuana on the group, orders them out of their car, and then searches the car. He finds the friends’ stash, arrests them all, and suddenly an entire group of friends without a criminal history is facing federal drug charges. 

Federal Drug Charge Penalties

While there is increasing talk about making marijuana legal on the federal level, it has not been done and in many states, including Texas, recreational marijuana is still against the law. Furthermore, moving restricted drugs of any kind over state lines is a serious crime that can trigger a federal prosecution. 

Federal drug charges are aggressively prosecuted, whether the people being charged are hardened criminals with a long history of drug crimes or a goofy group of college guys coming back from a spring break trip. Federal prosecutors have significant resources at their disposal and, because of the difficulty of catching more experienced drug runners, will sometimes try to make an example out of the people they do catch, especially when the alleged offenders have enough of a restricted substance to make it appear as though they intended to sell it. 

Penalties for federal drug crimes, even for first-time convictions, can include decades in prison and hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars in fines. Sentencing can vary widely depending on the substance, the amount, and the criminal history of the defendant. 

If you are being accused of moving drugs across state line with the intent to sell, it is crucial for you to take these charges seriously, even if you have never been involved in the criminal justice system before. Having a great criminal defense attorney may mean the difference between getting off fairly easy and the end of your life as you know it. 

Call a Dallas-Fort Worth Federal Drug Crime Defense Lawyer

When it comes to federal charges for drug crimes, do not risk facing down a prosecutor on your own. You need the help of an experienced, aggressive Collin County federal drug crime attorney who is not intimidated by a prosecutor’s tactics or evidence. At The Crowder Law Firm, P.C., we have a proven track record of advocating for our clients and fighting for a favorable outcome. Get help from our experienced team of attorneys by calling us today at 214-544-0061 and scheduling your free consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov/sites/default/files/2022-07/Federal_Trafficking_Penalties_Chart_6-23-22.pdf