College is a time of experimentation for many young adults, and some may dabble in substances such as marijuana. It may seem like a harmless activity at the time but if police catch you possessing marijuana you could find yourself facing some serious consequences.
Georgia takes a hard stance against marijuana
Georgia law states that it is a misdemeanor crime to possess under one ounce of marijuana. This is a small amount of the drug, so the penalty may not seem too serious. However, despite the fact that it is a misdemeanor, you could still face 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. So even this crime deserves a strong defense.
The stakes are higher if you possess greater amounts of marijuana, enough to intend to distribute or sell. It is a felony crime to possess higher amounts of marijuana with the intent to sell or distribute. If convicted of this crime, you could face one to 30 years in prison and a fine of $100,000 to $1,00,000. These are consequences that can be extremely difficult to overcome.
Take marijuana charges seriously
As this shows, you must take any criminal charges associated with marijuana seriously. You may believe it is a harmless drug that should be decriminalized or even legalized but that is not the stance the state takes on marijuana possession and distribution. If you are accused of crimes involving marijuana it is important to develop a defense strategy that counters the prosecution’s arguments and puts you in a better position to avoid fines and jail time.
