What is the legal status of marijuana in North Carolina?

The last few years have brought about a lot of changes with regard to how certain drugs and alleged drug crimes are viewed under the law. In some states, the possession of marijuana at certain amounts has been decriminalized, though under federal law, marijuana is still recognized as an illegal substance and its possession may subject a person to criminal penalties. The concept of medical marijuana has also been hotly debated and stands in different legal states throughout the nation.

For example, in North Carolina only, cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is permitted for medical use, and it is only allowed to be prescribed for certain seizure disorders. Other forms of marijuana are not legal in the state and therefore marijuana should still looked upon as an illegal substance in Statesville.

However, marijuana crimes are not always penalized under state law as harshly as other drug offenses involving different substances. Possession of less than half of an ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense and only punishable with a $200 fine. Individuals who are accused of possessing between one-half an ounce of marijuana and one and one-half ounces of the substance can be penalized with up to 45 days in jail. Possession of larger quantities of marijuana may be charged as felonies.

Drug offenses are always serious and should always be discussed with criminal defense attorneys. A drug charge can alter the course of an individual’s future and can cause them to suffer the effects of their punishments long after they have served their time. To learn more about the status of marijuana in North Carolina and related drug crimes, readers should contact their criminal defense attorneys.