Michigan Marijuana Drug Laws

Michigan Marijuana charges can be very serious and should be handled by an aggressive and effective Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney.

Marijuana is a Schedule I drug and if you are found guilty of a Marijuana-related offense, you may go to jail or prison for a long time. If you have been charged with any Marijuana-related crime, the Michigan drug attorneys at Kronzek & Cronkright, PLLC are available 24 hours a day to offer you a free initial consultation.

If you have been charged with an Marijuana related drug crime in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, Detroit, Lansing, or throughout Michigan, you will need a Marijuana defense attorney who handles these issues often.

Marijuana is the most widely-used drug in the world, including in the state of Michigan. Other names for Marijuana include “weed,” “pot,” “Mary Jane,” “grass,” “herb,” “reefer,” and “ganja.” Marijuana is created from dried cannabis plants. People have been using Marijuana since roughly the year 3,000 B.C.E. In the 1960’s, Marijuana became a symbol for young people who wanted to spread peace and love. However, Michigan law enforcement now cracks down regularly on illegal use of Marijuana.

In 2008, Michigan passed the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. This law allows for the medicinal use of Marijuana by qualified patients. Some of these patients’ homes are still being raided and their supplies seized from Michigan law enforcement. Unfortunately, these patients can still face drug convictions and need the assistance of a Michigan Medical Marijuana Attorney.

The main chemical in Marijuana is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. However, there are also many other chemicals in Marijuana that contribute to a user getting high. Besides Marijuana in the dried form, the cannabis plant also produces a resin called "hash" or "hashish" and a dark substance called "hash oil." Smoking Marijuana is the main form of ingestion of the drug.

Marijuana use does have some positive effects on its users, including elimination of nausea and vomiting, stimulation of hunger in sick patients, and pain relief. However, there are also some negative effects, as well. These include distorted perceptions, impaired coordination, difficulty problem solving, heart problems, and memory loss that can last for days after using Marijuana. Anti-Marijuana groups argue that Marijuana is a "gateway drug," meaning that Marijuana users will eventually become bored with Marijuana and move onto harder drugs such as Heroin or Cocaine. The chemicals from Marijuana stay in the body for a significant amount of time and can be detected in the blood, hair, and urine. Detection is especially easy if the person tested is a frequent Marijuana user. As a general rule, Marijuana can be detected in the urine for at least 30 days, and longer in a hair follicle test. If you are on probation and required to give a urine sample, you could have a Michigan probation violation charge if you "drop dirty" due to the detection of Marijuana metabolites. Probation violations in Michigan can lead to a re-sentencing on the original crime, and the defendant could end up going to prison.

Though Marijuana-related offenses are the most common of all the drug crimes, the penalties are still harsh if you are caught with Marijuana, Hash, or Hash Oil.

The punishment for a Marijuana crime depends on which Marijuana offense occurred:

Marijuana use is a misdemeanor. If you were found guilty of using Marijuana in Michigan, your potential drug crime sentence is the least severe; you could go to jail for up to 90 days, pay a fine of up to $100, or both.

Marijuana possession is a misdemeanor that carries sentences that are a bit harsher. If you were found guilty of possessing Marijuana in Michigan, you could go to jail for up to one year, pay a fine of up to $2,000, or both.

The Marijuana crimes discussed here are for when a Defendant is charged under Michigan law, however it is possible that a Defendant could also be charged for a Marijuana crime under Federal law or local law. It is important that you hire a Michigan drug defense lawyer who knows how to handle multiple drug charges.

However, your sentence may be more severe if you have a prior drug conviction or if your crime involved (1) delivery of Marijuana to a minor; (2) delivery of Marijuana at a school or within 1,000 feet of a school; or (3) manufacturing of Marijuana within 500 feet of a house, business, school, park, or church.

Your driver’s license could also be suspended for up to one year if you have been charged with a Marijuana crime. The State of Michigan will also collect fines from you.

Michigan drug laws are tough, and Marijuana is no exception. You need an experienced Michigan criminal defense lawyer to help fight back against your Marijuana charges. The attorneys at Kronzek & Cronkright are experienced, tough, and aggressive. They know how to get you through the court system and work hard to obtain the best possible result in your Marijuana drug case in Michigan.

Contact us to talk to an experienced Michigan Drug Attorney about your Marijuana possession, use, manufacture, creation, or delivery matter! Call 24 hours any day at 1-866-7NoJail, which is 1-866-766-5245.