Tennessee Marijuana Possession Criminal Defense Lawyer, Knoxville TN Drug Crimes Defense Attorney and Knox County Criminal Defense Law Firm
The public perception on marijuana is changing rapidly across the United States, and slowly, the laws are following suit. As of 2014, marijuana has been decriminalized in 18 states and is legal for medicinal purposes in 23 states. Additionally, two states (Washington and Colorado) have legalized the substance completely.
In Tennessee, however, the drug remains completely illegal as a Schedule VI substance and it remains illegal to possess, grow, or sell marijuana. Additionally, you can still be fired from your job if your terms of employment require you to take a drug screening and you fail it for marijuana. This includes Hashish as well as marijuana concentrates or baked goods. In Tennessee, possession of a half ounce of marijuana or less is a Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.
Successfully Defending Those Charged with Tennessee Drug Crimes for over 40 years
The punishment for sale or distribution of marijuana depends on the amount of marijuana you are charged with selling or possessing with the intent to sell. The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute between 10 and 70 lbs. of marijuana is a Class D felony punishable with between 2-12 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $5,000. The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute between 70-300 lbs. of marijuana is a Class B felony punishable with between 8-30 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $200,000.
The sale or possessing with the intent to distribute more than 300 lbs. of marijuana is a Class A felony punishable with between 15-60 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $500,000.
However, there are a number for factors that can increase the punishment for a sale or distribution offense. For example, if the sale is to a minor, the punishments are more severe; if the sale is conducted within a certain distance of a school or school zone, the punishments are more severe.
Additionally, any device used to create, distribute, or consume marijuana or a marijuana concentrate is considered “paraphernalia” and can result in additional charges.
For a knowledgeable and experienced drug crimes defense against your charges contact us.
Given the severity of these punishments and the numerous ways they can be enhanced, having an attorney with experience in defending marijuana charges is essential. The attorneys at the Law Office of James A. H. Bell have a combined six decades of experience in marijuana crimes and are supported by Shayne Cooper, an in-house personal investigator that, prior to joining the firm, spent over a decade in law enforcement and worked specifically on drug task forces. Mr. Cooper conducts an independent investigation into the facts of every case at no additional cost to the client. If you or someone you know is being investigated for, or charged with, a marijuana related crime, please contact our office today for a free consultation and put our experience to work defending your rights.