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Top Marijuana Law Questions

By Christopher Coble, Esq. on April 05, 2016 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

More and more states are legalizing marijuana. But some allow marijuana only for medicinal purposes, while others are legalizing it for recreational use. And a few jurisdictions have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, regardless of the use. At the same time, federal law still prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of any amount of marijuana.

This patchwork of laws can lead to a lot of questions regarding where, how, and why you can possess or use pot, and in some cases, what kind of pot you can use. Here's what you need to know:

1. Will the Government Know If I Get a Marijuana Card?

If you're in a medical marijuana state and have a prescription, you may need to obtain a state ID card. So how much will the government know, and which agencies will find out about your marijuana card? And how do medical privacy laws protect your personal information?

Can you bring pot home from your Seattle vacation? Can you fly from Boulder to Portland with a little dope in your carry-on? What about crossing the border in or out of Canada?

Historically, Indian land fell under federal jurisdiction, but the Justice Department has said it would take a hands-off approach when it came to marijuana on reservations. So why are some marijuana operations on reservations getting raided by law enforcement?

Search and seizure is one of the most complicated areas of criminal law. So make sure you know your rights (and responsibilities) before you carry, drive with, or grow pot.

5. Cannabiz: Can I Sell Marijuana to Dispensaries?

If you're an entrepreneur, you may be wondering how you can get in on this billion-dollar industry -- legally, of course. And even where recreational marijuana is legalized, the manufacture and sale of weed remains highly regulated.

Given the variety and variance of local, state, and federal marijuana laws, the best source of information regarding pot laws where you live may be an experienced drug crime attorney near you.

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