The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association website recently published an article by attorney Chris Hesse titled, “The Risks of a Colorado Cannabis Vacation." Since Colorado legalized marijuana, the number of drug busts in Dalhart and Amarillo have substantially increased due to “cannabis tourism.” Many of these arrests are for small quantities of marijuana intended for personal use. In the article, attorney Hesse discusses the penalties people might face if they bring cannabis purchased in Colorado into the state of Texas.

Attorney Hesse explains that most cannabis charges he’s seen are for simple possession. The penalties for this crime depends on the weight of the marijuana in possession:

• Class B: 2 ounces or less
• Class A: 4 ounces or less but more than 2 ounces
• SJF: 5 pounds or less but more than 4 ounces
• 3^rd Degree: 50 pounds or less but more than 5 pounds
• 2^nd Degree: 2,000 pounds or less but more than 50 pounds
• 1^st Degree: More than 2,000 pounds

The article also covers penalties for possession of hash oil, edibles, and waxes, which include:

• SJF: Less than 1 gram
• 3^rd Degree: 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams
• 2^nd Degree: 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams
• 1^st Degree: More than 400 grams

As attorney Hesse notes in the article, the punishment for a 30-gram cookie is equivalent to possessing 50 to 2,000 pounds of marijuana. In this sense, the law actually encourages users to possess leafy weed instead of edibles, oils, or waxes.

If you are planning to take a vacation to Colorado to check out the state’s legal marijuana industry, make sure you are aware of the risks and penalties you will face if you cross into Texas with marijuana and get stopped by law enforcement.

To learn more about marijuana laws and criminal defense, click here to read attorney Hesse’s full article.

Amarillo Criminal Defense Lawyer

Have you or someone you know been arrested for possessing marijuana? If so, you should get in touch with our legal professionals to discuss the details of your case. Attorney Hesse has years of experience handling these types of cases, and he knows which legal strategies produce the best results for our clients. We are here to use our extensive resources to fight for the justice you deserve.

Call (806) 350-6785 to schedule your no-cost, no obligation consultation at our law office in Amarillo.