Articles Posted in MS Drug Possession Laws

Most of us can agree that marijuana is not a dangerous drug. In fact, alcohol is far more deadly, causing numerous DUI crashes each year. In addition, people can literally drink themselves to death – while it is essentially impossible to overdose on marijuana. Finally, marijuana is nowhere near as addictive as some of the other “harder” drugs, and users tend to develop a dependency that is similar to a caffeine addiction at best. For all of these reasons and many others, numerous states have legalized marijuana for recreational use.

However, Mississippi currently only makes it legal to possess and use marijauna if you have a medical license. Many are calling for the state to join many others and fully decriminalize marijuana – making it legal for recreational users to possess, use, and grow the drug as well. Despite the fact that this will probably happen in the near future, there are many Mississippi residents who currently have criminal records due to simple marijuana possession. But could you get a pardon for this offense and clear your name?

What is Simple Marijuana Possession in Mississippi?

Mississippi law casts a broad net when it comes to outlawing “controlled substances.”  Mississippi law states that it is illegal to knowingly or intentionally possess, sell, barter, exchange, or manufacture a controlled substance.  Unless, of course, you are authorized to do so by law.  Drug crimes come with a variety of penalties, depending largely on the type drug for which that you are arrested or categorized of. In Mississippi there are five schedules, Schedule I Controlled Substances being what are considered to be the most dangerous and lacking any medicinal use, while Schedule V Controlled Substances are considered less dangerous.

What are the Penalties for Drug Charges in Mississippi?

The penalties for violating the laws of Mississippi for possessing controlled substances are as follows:

Like many states, Mississippi is starting to welcome the idea of legalized marijuana. However,

this is proving to be a slow, arduous process. Mississippi is lagging behind many other states

throughout the nation that have already passed decriminalization statutes. While Mississippi is

Under normal circumstances, the people of a state would vote on an issue, and new laws would be passed. But this did not happen when Mississippi citizens voted in favor of marijuana legalization. Due to a strange constitutional loophole, lawmakers and citizens alike have been left scratching their heads. Back in November, citizens supported the legalization of medical marijuana. 

But in May of 2021, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled in favor of a man who sued the state over the implementation of the ballot initiative. Now, questions are being raised as to whether or not the medical marijuana dispensaries will even open as expected this year. 

Why is this happening? The exact laws on ballot initiatives are quite simple. They become valid if whoever registers the proposal can get one-fifth of their signatures from each of the state’s five congressional districts. There is only one problem: Mississippi only has four congressional seats. This means that it is constitutionally impossible to validate any ballot initiative. The court’s justices accepted that the situation was difficult, but they said that they were forced to follow the law as it had been written. 

Voters have spoken in Mississippi, and the prospect of legalizing marijuana is clearly an attractive one. By legalizing this drug, Mississippi would join many other states in the nation that have decided to allow responsible citizens to enjoy marijuana recreationally without fear of legal action. However, it seems like the will of the people and the legislative branch are not acting in unison. Despite support from voters, Mississippi does not look like it is getting any closer to legalization. 

If you are facing criminal charges because of marijuana possession, you are likely frustrated and concerned about your future. While the state delays over this monumental decision, you may be facing serious consequences in the short term. The only thing you can do in this situation is hire a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney. We will help you fight for your rights and avoid needless penalties.

While it might not be illegal to attempt to cheat on a drug test in the Magnolia State, it is illegal to help others cheat. There is actually an entire industry built around helping people cheat on drug tests. A simple online search will reveal plenty of websites and companies that sell “detoxifying” substances designed specifically to help people hide their drug use.

In Mississippi, the state has focused on one specific aspect of this test-cheating industry — the sale of human urine. There are certain companies that market real or fake human urine that helps individuals pass drug tests. In 2021, Mississippi introduced a new law that would ban the sale of real or fake human urine. You can also be found guilty of this crime if you simply give away your urine. The first offense comes with a fine of $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Repeat offenders can face up to three years in jail. 

Currently, there are no federal laws that make it illegal to cheat on a drug test. Some studies suggest that up to 10% of all drug samples have been altered in some way, which means that the number of drug users who are getting away with their habit is actually quite high. While the federal government is not really doing anything to address this issue, individual states are. States like Texas, South Carolina, and Oregon have made it illegal to cheat on a drug test, and guilty individuals can face significant fines and even jail time. However, Mississippi is not one of these states, and cheating on a drug test is still legal.

Many people may be subject to drug tests in Mississippi for a multitude of reasons. For some, drug tests might be a condition of their employment. Others may be ordered to undergo regular drug testing after being charged with a crime. In some cases, divorced parents may be ordered to undergo drug testing if they want to maintain their visitation rights and see their children. But what happens if you try and “cheat” a drug test in Mississippi? Could you face legal consequences?

If you are dealing with any drug-related legal issues, it is always a good idea to connect with a criminal defense attorney in Mississippi. While cheating on a drug test is probably not a good idea, there is no reason you should face unnecessary legal consequences for your choices. With a skilled attorney at your side, you can mitigate any legal consequences you may be facing.