Medical Marijuana: How to Avoid an Arrest

Recently, many states opted to allow patients to use medicinal marijuana as a treatment for several medical conditions. However, it is still possible to incur serious criminal penalties if this medicine is misused, abused or handled inappropriately. Knowing the specific laws and statutes regarding medicinal marijuana use in a particular area is an essential part of using this medicine safely and legitimately.

Know the Law

Above all else, users of medicinal marijuana must have a current and working knowledge of all the statutes, bylaws, regulations and codes that apply to the production, transportation, distribution, consumption and possession of marijuana in their area. They must strictly study and adhere to all local, state and federal laws governing the substance that they use as medicine.

This is so vitally important because, to many people outside of the medical and scientific community, marijuana is simply a harmful drug. In order to safely use their medicine, legal marijuana users should make an extra effort to avoid drawing the negative attention of those who wish to abolish the medical marijuana industry. Knowledge of all applicable rules and regulations will ensure the equitable distribution of valuable medicine to all who need it.

Staying Out of Jail

As stated above, there are those who do not feel that marijuana is a useful medicine despite vast amounts of peer-reviewed, verifiable scientific research. Chief among these detractors is the federal government. The federal government is not interested in state sovereignty or medical breakthroughs; it is chiefly concerned with pushing up arrest and conviction statistics to ensure further funding for a war on drugs.

The best way to fight this problem is to stay out of jail with a clean criminal record. To do so, all marijuana transactions and use must remain above-board. Although requirements vary from state to state, there are a few general guidelines that must be followed to ensure that laws are followed.

First, a medicinal marijuana user must be registered with his or her state and carry a registration identification card and doctor’s prescription. All registration information must be kept valid and up to date. Next, marijuana should only be purchased from an authorized vendor or a state-approved, licensed primary caregiver. In some cases, users are allowed to grown their own medicine but local laws may vary. Finally, the total amount of marijuana possessed by a user must not exceed the specific limits set by the state.

Play It Safe

The use of medicinal marijuana is a privilege, not a right. As such, it can be taken away at any time. To prevent that from happening, users should only consume their medicine in their home or in a secure environment. They should never combine it with alcohol or other drugs or attempt to drive after consumption. They must never enter a school zone, airport, government building or other restricted area while carrying their medicine.

By strictly adhering to some clear guidelines, medicinal marijuana users can continue to treat their illness as they see fit. To be certain that all regulations are being followed, a thorough counseling session with a qualified attorney is very strongly recommended.

This guest post was provided by the Law Office of Greg Tsioros. Greg is passionate about providing the best defense possible for his clients. He believes that everybody should have the best representation possible when facing marijuana charges.

Click Here to Speak with a Marijuana Lawyer in Arizona.