What to Know about Federal Marijuana Charges

 Posted on May 21, 2024 in Drug Crimes

Most people are aware that marijuana has been treated by law enforcement officials as an illegal drug for quite a while. A fairly new challenge in recent years is related to what happens when something is considered legal in a state but still considered an illegal drug according to federal law. Specifically, marijuana has been legalized in the state of Illinois, but possession of it remains a federal offense. This discrepancy has caused a great deal of confusion and unexpected implications. This article will explain a bit about marijuana-related laws in Illinois and how you might get into trouble with federal law. Of course, if you are concerned that you might be in legal trouble, speak with a skilled Chicago, IL criminal defense attorney who can review your case and offer you sound advice.

State and Federal Legal Questions about Marijuana

In recent years, several states passed laws legalizing the use and possession of marijuana. However, it is still an illegal drug according to federal law. The Controlled Substances Act still has cannabis listed as a Schedule 1 drug, which means that there are serious implications. People who live in a state like Illinois, where marijuana is legalized, might assume that using it is not a problem, and that is the source of a lot of confusion and federal charges against people who have no idea they are doing something wrong.

There are many scenarios where someone from Illinois could face federal charges for doing something that is legal in their state. For example, you could go to a legal marijuana dispensary, buy a legal amount of marijuana, and then decide to send it to your best friend in another state. Using the United States Postal Service to mail marijuana is a federal crime, so doing this could put you in danger of being accused of federal crimes.

You could be at risk even if you unintentionally transported the drugs over state lines. If, for example, you have a small satchel where you keep marijuana and papers to roll your own joints, and you forgot it was in your backpack when you boarded a train to go one state over,  you could be facing federal charges if your belongings are checked and you are found in possession of marijuana.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Illinois Criminal Defense Attorney

If you legally purchased marijuana in Illinois and then got into trouble over it in another state, speak with our Chicago, IL criminal defense lawyer at Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney, who has experience defending similar cases, as soon as possible. Federal charges are serious and can lead to severe consequences. Call us at 312-629-0669 to schedule a free consultation so we can review your situation and build a strong case for you.