You may have heard that marijuana is legal in some states, but what you might not know is that it’s only partially true. Depending on where you live, cannabis can be legal for medical purposes or even for recreational use. But each state has its own laws when it comes to marijuana, and the details can be tricky to understand. However, there are still nuances that you need to know about so you can make an informed decision about your surroundings and how much risk you’re willing to take if caught with a personal supply of marijuana. Keep reading to learn more about the laws surrounding marijuana, its effects, and whether is Marijuana legal in Texas.
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana or cannabis is a green, gray, or brown mixture of shredded and dried leaves, seeds, stems, and flowers of the hemp plant. Cannabis sativa is the scientific name for marijuana. Marijuana is often smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes known as joints, in pipes or water pipes called bongs, in blunts (marijuana wrapped in cigar wraps), or by smoking in marijuana cigars called blunts.
People also mix it in food or brew it as tea. A newly popular method of use is to smoke or eat different forms of resinous marijuana, called hashish and hash oil. Marijuana is often referred to as pot, weed, herb, dope, grass, ganja, and other slang terms.
Effects Of Marijuana Usage
The use of marijuana can have short- and long-term effects, such as changes in perception, uncoordinated movement, difficulty with thinking and problem solving, and problems with learning and memory. Short-term effects of marijuana use include:
- Altered senses (for example, seeing brighter colors)
- Changes in mood
- Impaired body movement
- Difficulty with thinking and problem solving
- Short-term memory loss
The long-term effects of marijuana may depend on how you take it (smoke, eat, or drink), how much you use it, how often you use it, your age, and your health status. Long-term effects of smoking marijuana include:
- Coughing and increased risk of bronchitis
- Increased risk of lung infections
- Increased risk of cancer in the upper respiratory tract
- Smokers of high-potency marijuana show evidence of damaged nerve cells in areas of the brain where memory is processed
Is Marijuana Legal In Texas?
Marijuana is not legal in Texas. The Texas Penal Code includes marijuana as a Penalty Group 2 drug, which means it is considered a less serious offense than Penalty Group 1 drugs like cocaine and heroin. However, this does not mean that penalties for marijuana possession are not serious.
Marijuana possession is still a serious offense in Texas and the penalties can be very severe. You could be facing jail time, a fine, and other collateral consequences if you are convicted of this crime. It is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you defend against these charges and protect your rights.
The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is a controversial issue. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes, while others oppose this idea.
Charges Of Using Marijuana
If you have been charged with marijuana possession in Texas, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can review your case and help you explore your legal options. Cannabis possession remains a serious offense in Texas. The penalties for possession of cannabis depend on the amount of the drug you are caught with. Possession of fewer than two ounces of marijuana is charged as a misdemeanor Class B. This comes with 180 days in jail and fines starting at $2,000.
If you are caught with more than two ounces of marijuana but less than four ounces of marijuana, you can be charged with a misdemeanor Class A. This is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. If you are caught with more than four ounces of marijuana, you can be charged with a felony, which is punishable by up to 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
In addition to the criminal penalties associated with marijuana possession, you may also face collateral consequences. These can include losing your job, being denied housing, and being ineligible for certain government benefits. Also, you will lose your right to vote and gun rights if you are convicted of a felony.
Is it Legal To Grow Marijuana?
No, it is not legal to grow marijuana in Texas. In Texas, marijuana cultivation is a felony. It is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If you are caught growing more than 50 plants, you can be charged with a felony. This is punishable by up to 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Possession of marijuana is still a serious offense in Texas, and the penalties can be very severe. You could be facing jail time, a fine, and other collateral consequences if you are convicted of this crime. It is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you defend against these charges and protect your rights.
Marijuana For Medical Use
The use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is a controversial issue. Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal purposes, while others oppose this idea.
There are a number of states that have legalized the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, Texas is not one of these states. The possession and use of marijuana are still illegal in Texas.
Proponents of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes argue that the drug can be used to treat a number of medical conditions. This includes cancer, AIDS, and chronic pain. They also argue that marijuana is less harmful than other drugs, such as alcohol and cigarettes.
Also, opponents of legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes argue that the drug is not safe and that there is no evidence to support the claims that it is effective in treating medical conditions. They also argue that marijuana is a gateway drug. This means that it can lead to the use of other, more dangerous drugs.
Final Words
Finally, marijuana is still illegal in Texas, and the penalties for possession can be very severe. If you have been charged with this crime, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you defend against these charges and protect your rights.
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