While marijuana has been legalized for medical purposes in a majority of states and recreational purposes in 11 states, it can still result in criminal charges in Florida as well as in every other state. Even though marijuana has gained much more acceptance in the last decade, it is illegal under federal law and the state laws of many states.
According to a study that was completed by Pew Research, marijuana charges are still the leading type of drug crimes that are charged in the U.S. In 2018, four out of every 10 drug arrests in the U.S. were for marijuana, and 92% of those cases were for possessing marijuana. Just 8% of the drug arrests for marijuana in 2018 were for selling or manufacturing the drug.
Pew Research previously found in a survey in Sept. 2019 that 66% of Americans think that marijuana should be legalized. Among the respondents, 59% said that marijuana should be legal for both recreational and medical purposes, and 32% said that it should only be legal for medical purposes.
While marijuana has gained widespread acceptance, it can still result in criminal charges in Florida. People who are convicted of marijuana offenses can be fined and face possible jail sentences. There are collateral consequences of having a marijuana conviction. People may have more trouble finding jobs, and they might not be eligible for student loans to help pay for college. People who have been charged with marijuana offenses might benefit from consulting with experienced criminal defense lawyers. The attorneys may be able to secure plea offers from the prosecutors to non-drug offenses or lesser charges. They might also identify problems with how the police conducted the investigations and secure dismissals of the charges against their clients.
