Florida's medical marijuana amendment did not pass yesterday in the election. Even though a majority of the voters voted in favor of passing the medical marijuana amendment, receiving 58% of the vote, it fell 2% shy needed to pass. In 2006, Florida voters decided all constitutional amendments needed a "super majority" to pass (60% instead...
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Bartow high school teacher arrested for possession of cannabis and paraphernalia.
Over the weekend, a Bartow high school teacher was arrested for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia (a grinder). WFLA channel 8 is reporting that Polk County Sheriff deputies allegedly went to the teacher's house in response to a tip that the teacher was in possession of the marijuana. Once the deputies arrived, they alleged smelled...
Read MoreMarijuana Possession, Use and Sale Remain Federally Illegal, Though Enforcement Is Spotty
Each state has its own marijuana laws. If you are arrested, you need to know which laws are applicable to your case. In 2012, Washington and Colorado became the first two states to legalize, regulate and tax recreational possession of cannabis. The laws in those states permit a person 21 years of age to buy...
Read MoreProposed medical marijuana amendment approved by Florida Supreme Court. How will it affect criminal cases
The medical marijuana amendment has made it to Florida’s ballot in time for the next governor’s election. Voter polls currently indicate that the amendment will pass easily and medical marijuana will become legal in the state of Florida. How will this affect criminal cases? The potential effect on the police, when law enforcement can search...
Read MoreTampa Bay Buc player arrested for possession of cannabis
Akeem Spence of the Tampa Bay Bucs was arrested in Alabama for possession of marijuana. He was allegedly pulled over for speeding and eventually the troopers conducted a canine (K-9) search of the vehicle. The drug sniffing dogs allegedly alerted to the presence of controlled substance in the car and a subsequent search by the...
Read MorePolk County officer stops you for no valid reason can the criminal charges be thrown out
Previously I wrote about Florida’s Noise statute being declared unconstitutional. That statute was often used by deputies to pull your car over in order to search your vehicle. This week the Fifth District Court of Appeal overruled a circuit court order when the police officer pulled the driver over for having no mirror on their...
Read MoreAnother Polk County Sheriff felony sting arrest for firearms and drugs
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office along with federal authorities arrested 23 suspects in a sting operation today. The arrested suspects were criminally charges with various drug trafficking and firearm charges. The suspects are facing charges in both state and federal court. The Lakeland Police department was also involved in...
Read MoreFlorida Supreme Court upholds Florida’s Drug law ruling it Constitutional.
Recently, a federal court ruled that Section 893.13, part of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act was unconstitutional because it did not require “knowledge” as an element of the criminal offense. What does that mean? Basically, it means that the prosecutor, in order to convict of numerous drug crime such as possession...
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