Recently, marijuana laws in many states including New York have changed. According to the New York City Police Department, it is still against the law to possess marijuana. That said, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is treated as a violation and people in this position are generally not taken into custody. In some cases, however, people are apprehended when they are caught with a very small amount of marijuana.
It is vital for those who are charged with drug possession or any other drug-related offense to have a clear understanding of their legal options. These cases often have multiple consequences that impact one’s life significantly.
Small amounts of marijuana
There are different factors that come into play when someone is stopped by a law enforcement official and found to have a very small amount of marijuana. For example, if someone has an outstanding warrant or law enforcement officials are unable to identify the individual properly, the threat of arrest is a possibility. Moreover, those accused of possessing a much larger amount of marijuana or growing or selling marijuana are also taken into custody. According to the New York State Unified Court System, growing, buying and selling marijuana is still considered a criminal offense.
The consequences of marijuana possession cases
When it comes to marijuana possession cases, there are various consequences. For starters, the financial penalties are very difficult for some people. Even small amounts of marijuana can lead to financial penalties, with much larger penalties for those stopped with a greater amount of the drug. Aside from the threat of arrest, some people spend time behind bars and suffer irreparable damage to their reputation as well.