New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

Now that Governor Chris Christie has officially approved medical marijuana use in New Jersey, there are a number of questions that will have to be answered. Will the federal government arrest individuals for possession even if they took the legal route of obtaining the drugs? Will there be an increase in the number of marijuana arrests in New Jersey or a substantial decrease because of the new laws? Will the new marijuana dispensaries come under intense legal scrutiny?

One of the reasons that Governor Christie waited for over a year to approve the medical marijuana bill, which was passed in January 2010, is because marijuana is illegal to possess under federal law. When the governor requested a promise that New Jersey residents will not be arrested after legally obtaining the controlled substance, the federal government was unable to provide that promise. The U.S. deputy attorney general did, however, release a memo stating that “it is not likely an efficient use of federal resources to focus enforcement efforts on individuals with cancer or other serious illnesses” who use medical marijuana.

This statement certainly leaves open the possibility of the federal government arresting individuals for possession and there will clearly be a bit of confusion during this complicated transitional period due to the discrepancy between state and federal laws. Anyone facing marijuana possession charges in New Jersey would be well-advised to seek legal guidance from an experienced attorney to find out what legal options are available to them.

The experienced marijuana defense lawyers in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein handle all types of drug possession charges in New Jersey. We understand the severity of charges our clients face and the complexities that will come with the new medical marijuana laws that are now beginning to take effect. If you would like to discuss your case with one of our skilled attorneys, call 609-240-0040 for a no-cost consultation.