Marijuana has been a common theme in the news in New Jersey since the state released its plans of legalizing and selling it recreationally. Recently, it has been in the news for a less approved reason, following a drug bust that included hundreds of pounds of illegal pot sales. The local police department in Englewood arrested five men, accusing them of illegally selling weed and related products, in a chain of smoke shops throughout New Jersey.
What Happened
The shops were located in Englewood, Butler, Randolph, and Scotch Plains, New Jersey. An undercover detective successfully bought marijuana and other THC products from multiple locations of a smoke shop. The smoke shop, Dirty Jerzy Supplies, has numerous locations throughout New Jersey.
The whole investigation took place over a period of six months, with the detectives uncovering numerous situations of illegal pot sales and hundreds of pounds of marijuana. In total, the local authorities believe that the shop owners and defendants were in possession of over $305,000 of cash from illegal sales.
The detectives were able to apprehend two of the Dirty Jerzy owners. During the arrest, they uncovered another 50 pounds of marijuana. A couple of the shop’s operators were also arrested for the illegal sale of marijuana. Each person arrested is now being charged with multiple marijuana charges, some with possession of over 25 pounds with intent to distribute, which carries higher consequences than possession on its own.
What Are the Current Marijuana Laws in New Jersey?
Although New Jersey has made a move to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, it is still not yet legal to do so. Lawmakers are still figuring out the logistics and legalities of when and how shops will be able to sell recreational marijuana. It is currently illegal to sell marijuana from a storefront in all New Jersey counties.
The state had aimed to have the laws figured out by February 2022, but it’s likely that this timeline will be pushed back. Governor Murphy stated late last month that there was still a lot of work to do and that he would prefer to get it right before rushing the date.
Potential Marijuana Charges in New Jersey
The laws regarding marijuana use in New Jersey are changing. However, it’s still illegal to sell marijuana for recreational use. Doing so could lead to jail time and expensive fines, depending on the amount in possession and the details of the criminal drug charge. The state has made an attempt to decriminalize the use of recreational marijuana, leading to lesser consequences for those with smaller amounts of marijuana in possession.
However, crimes that involve marijuana with the intent to distribute still carry potential jail time and fines. Criminal drug charges can also affect your employment or federal loan options. If you’re dealing with potential marijuana distribution charges or similar charges, like possession of a large amount of marijuana, it’s important to consider your options and work with a criminal defense lawyer to build your defense.
Contact an Experienced Mount Laurel Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Drug Charges in New Jersey
Were you arrested or charged with a drug crime in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your case. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michele Finizio have successfully represented clients charged with drug charges in Mount Laurel, Pemberton, Moorestown, Camden, and throughout New Jersey. Call (609) 230-0374 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office conveniently located at 9 E. Main St, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
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The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
