While medical marijuana is legal in Oklahoma, having your card with you may not help in other states.
Laws permitting the medicinal use of marijuana are sweeping the country. That said, while medical marijuana became legal in our area back in 2018, some states are still lagging behind. If you have a medical marijuana card, you may consider yourself entitled to use it in other places. However, in areas where any type of marijuana use is prohibited, you could find yourself facing criminal drug charges. Before you do any traveling, check out the following information first.
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Oklahoma previously had a long history of going after and prosecuting marijuana growers and users throughout the state. That has partly changed since legalization of the substance in July 2018 and the establishment of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Since that time, more than 80,000 patients have been approved for medicinal marijuana use. However, there are still numerous restrictions to follow. If you fail to do so, you could face criminal drug possession charges. These restrictions include:
● You cannot purchase marijuana anywhere but from a state licensed dispensary;
● Doctors cannot prescribe a specific dosage or strain;
● You cannot use it on the job or anywhere that cigarette smoking is prohibited;
● You cannot give marijuana you legally obtain to others;
● You cannot have large amounts in your possession.
You are also prohibited from crossing state lines with your medical marijuana and need to abide by the rules regarding marijuana wherever you go. Under federal statutes, marijuana is still a schedule one drug and penalties for illegal possession include fines and a potential jail sentence.
Obtaining Marijuana in Other States
While marijuana is illegal on the federal level, it is up to each state to pass its own laws regarding use and regulation. With changing attitudes toward the drug and greater evidence of its benefits, more and more states are now making it legal in some form.
As it currently stands, the current maps for marijuana legalization resemble a patchwork. The National Council of State Legislatures provides detailed guidance for each state on what is allowed. There are three basic classifications:
● Marijuana approved for recreational use: Marijuana can be obtained by the general public for recreational use in 11 states.
● Marijuana approved for medicinal use: This applies in 33 states, some of which have reciprocity agreements which honor medical marijuana cards from other areas;
● Marijuana remains illegal: This applies to the remaining six states.
Even if you travel to a state where marijuana is legal, it is generally prohibited on airplanes by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Oklahoma also prohibits you from bringing back marijuana obtained in other areas.
Get Legal Guidance from Our Ponca City, OK Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you have been found in violation of state marijuana laws, BDIW Law can provide the trusted legal guidance and aggressive representation you need. To discuss your situation, call or contact our Ponca City drug possession attorneysonline today and request a confidential consultation.
