While THC is legal in many other states, it’s not yet legal in Texas. At Lee & Wood, we often hear from people who bought legal THC edibles or gummies for recreational purposes when on vacation and then forgot and brought them home.
We also know that our highway patrol often pulls over Texans on their way back from Oklahoma and Colorado, where they legally purchased medical marijuana. As a result, people who would never deliberately break the law are facing serious drug charges.
Crossing State Lines Can Mean Federal Charges
What’s legal in other states can lead to severe consequences in Texas. When an act takes place solely within Texas borders, it’s considered to be a state crime. However, if the act involves crossing state lines or the border with Mexico, it becomes a federal drug crime.
So, if you’re caught with drugs you transported across state lines, you could face charges for federal crimes that are independent of any state laws that you allegedly violated. This means serious trouble.
Drug Possession vs. Drug Trafficking Charges Depend on Drug Amounts
Prosecutors decide what the charges will be based on the facts of the case. When small amounts of drugs are found, they often charge defendants with drug possession.
When large amounts of drugs are found, they often infer that the drugs were intended for sale. They then charge defendants with the far more serious crime of drug trafficking.
Bringing Legally-Purchased THC Products Into Texas Can Be a Felony
Because marijuana has been legal in places like Colorado for so long, many Texans forget that bringing THC products back to Texas can get them in serious trouble. In Texas, if you’re caught bringing THC concentrates such as oils, waxes, shatter or dabs into our state, you could face felony charges.
The charges and fines involved increase with the amount of THC a person is caught with. Possession of less than a gram is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in jail. It’s also punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.
Larger amounts of THC are punishable with increasing amounts of prison time. If a person is caught with a large amount of THC (200 to 400 grams), they could face up to 99 years in prison in addition to the $10,000 fine.
Need Help? Call An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer.
People often find themselves in trouble for drug crimes in Texas without ever realizing the consequences were so serious. This is especially true when the crime involves taking marijuana or THC across state borders. If you’re in trouble, get legal help now.
Call 817-678-6771 or send us a message online to request a free consultation with the attorneys at the Fort Worth law office of Lee & Wood, LP.