Stephen E Palmer Drug Crimes Law Blog

Folks have been using marijuana as a recreational drug for years and years.  It’s a substance that grows “naturally.” And it is perceived by many as a harmless substance-- Or, at least, far less harmful than the other “hard” drugs.  There is probably some truth to this.  Cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamines, opiates, etc., are far more addicting and have greater negative consequences.  Even alcohol can have a more severe impact... Read More

Under Ohio law, it’s a crime to possess marijuana and other controlled drugs.  The good news is that possession of marijuana in small amounts is only a misdemeanor.  Small enough amounts, it’s only a minor misdemeanor (the same as a jay walking violation).  Possession of paraphernalia (the pipe used to smoke it) is also a lower level misdemeanor.  For obvious reasons, we often see both charges together.... Read More

Cultivation of Marijuana is still a felony under Ohio criminal laws and the federal criminal system.  When people “trade” services for pot, they are really trafficking in marijuana under the criminal codes.  The law has little sympathy for “personal consumption” growers. ... Read More

The reason your drug crime lawyer in Ohio may argue for state rather than federal jurisdiction is that judges at state levels are not subject to federal sentencing guidelines, which generally impose heavier drug crime penalties. The main factor that determines federal drug crime jurisdiction is drug activity that crosses state lines or U.S. borders.... Read More

At Yavitch & Palmer, our Ohio criminal defense attorneys handle all levels of narcotics defense in federal and state courts.  We often answer a reoccurring question: will the case be federal or will it be in the state courts?  And which is better? ... Read More