Cannabis Concentrates Are Against The Law
As of this writing, the state of Florida only allows legal cannabis consumption by those with a medical card, and only in certain forms. Cannabis can be ingested in many different ways, including via smoking or edibles, but another popular method is by ‘dabbing,’ meaning using a type of wax or concentrate. While items made from the cannabis plant are generally legal for medicinal purposes in Florida, cannabis concentrates are not, and mere possession can lead to jail time.
Too High A Concentration
It may come as a profound surprise to a person who simply intends to use cannabis concentrates for chronic pain that doing so in Florida is a crime. The reason why is because concentrates, as one might imagine, have a significantly higher percentage of THC than any cannabis plant – and the Florida legislature has shown a clear intent to minimize the possibility of ‘getting high’ for any reason other than management of a medical condition.
If a person, even someone with a medical card, is found in possession of cannabis concentrates, they will be arrested and charged with an offense, most likely a felony. Most cannabis charges in Florida under a certain amount are misdemeanors, but the statute explicitly differentiates between the cannabis plant and its products and its resin (and any product created from modifying the resin). It is possible that charges related to cannabis concentrates will be more severe.
Defend Your Rights
Because cannabis concentrates have a higher potential for abuse in the view of the Florida legislature, if you are charged with possession of any of these types of substances, it will usually be as a third-degree felony. This can, of course, rise in degree depending on how much one is found with, the location of the find, and other factors like past criminal history – for example, if you are found using or selling any cannabis concentrate within 1,000 feet of certain ‘vulnerable locations’ like schools, churches, or assisted living facilities, the offense will usually go up a degree.
If you are charged with this kind of offense and have a medical cannabis card, be aware that under Florida law, you may lose your medical card if convicted. For a disabled person who relies on cannabis for pain management, this may be doubly cruel, as the reapplication process is intended to be long and difficult. The right attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected while you navigate the legal process.
Call A West Palm Beach Cannabis Concentrates Attorney
If you have been charged with using or selling cannabis wax or any other type of concentrate, you need an attorney who understands the stakes – particularly if you have a medical card. The West Palm Beach drug crimes attorneys from Perlet & Shiner, P.A. can help you understand your options and answer your questions about what will happen going forward. Call our office today to speak to an attorney.
