THIS LITTLE SQ 788 EXCEPTION IS A BIG DEAL FOR OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS AND “HEAD SHOPS”
It probably gets little attention. But buried in the text of new statutes birthed by State Question 788 is a unique section of law dealing with drug paraphernalia. And it’s good for medical marijuana patient cardholders, said Tulsa medical marijuana attorney Stephen Cale.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and not legal advice.
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
Pipes, bongs, vaporizers, vape pens and the like are considered drug paraphernalia. And ordinarily, possession of these items is illegal under state law.
There is a narrow exception to drug paraphernalia in the new State Question 788 law that pertains to consumption of marijuana. A new statute that is part of SQ 788 states:
” Any device used for the consumption of medical marijuana shall be considered legal to be sold, manufactured, distributed, and possessed. No merchant, wholesaler, manufacturer, or individual may unduly be harassed or prosecuted for selling, manufacturing, or possession of medical marijuana paraphernalia.”
See Okla. Stat. Tit. 63 sec. 423(F)
“This is a big deal not only for marijuana patients but for vendors who make or sell devices to consume cannabis,” said Tulsa medical marijuana attorney Stephen Cale.
PAST HEAD SHOP PROSECUTIONS
In December 2015, law enforcement raided a Norman, Ok, shop called the Friendly Market. They found bongs and other marijuana-related items but no illegal drugs.
Prosecutors charged the store owners with multiple counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and acquiring proceeds through drug activity. A jury found them not guilty in May 2017.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia | The Flip Side That Needs Revision
A problem for patients, growers and processors is the state’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act (CDS Act), said Tulsa medical marijuana attorney Stephen Cale. The Act embodies a large portion of the state’s drug laws, including marijuana laws. State Question 788 does not fall within the Act and does not address the broad definition of drug paraphernalia.
“It’s a tricky area,” Cale said. “On the one hand, State Question 788 allows qualified persons to grow, possess and use marijuana. On the other hand, there are still state statutes on the books that make possession of items to grow marijuana illegal.”
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA | IT’S MORE THAN WHAT YOU’D THINK
Under the CDS Act, the legal definition of drug paraphernalia is a long list. It covers more than just pipes, containers, vaporizers, etc. Among the list are: “equipment, products and materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or fashioned specifically for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, containing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled dangerous substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.”
PENALTY FOR POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Possession of illegal drug paraphernalia is a misdemeanor. The possible punishment for a first offense is up to one year the county jail and/or a fine of up to $1000. For a second offense, the person is looking at the possibility have no more than one year the county jail and/or a fine of up to $5000. For a third or subsequent offense, the punishment is no more than one year the county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
THE BEST SOLUTION: THE LEGISLATURE, NOT THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has already held that the district attorney “retains broad discretion as to whether, when, and how to prosecute crime.” See State v. Haworth. The appellate court went on to say: “In a variety of contexts, we have reiterated that where a defendant’s conduct is arguably covered by more than one criminal provision, the choice is a matter within the prosecutor’s discretion, bounded by the constitutional requirement that the decision not be based on impermissible standards, such as race or religion.”
So, the state legislature will need to resolve the conflict between State Question 788 and the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, said Tulsa medical marijuana attorney Stephen Cale.
You can find details on State Question 788 law here. Or read a summary of SQ 788 written by Tulsa criminal defense attorney Stephen Cale.
TULSACANNABISATTRONEYS.COM
Tulsa target=”_blank” rel=”noopener” medical marijuana attorney Stephen Cale is a Legal Committee member of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
Call the Cale Law Office at 918-771-7314 for your free initial consultation and for more information. Or, contact us via the web.
Tulsa medical marijuana attorney Stephen Cale serves clients throughout Oklahoma and Northeastern Oklahoma, including Tulsa County, Jenks, Glenpool, Bixby, Collinsville, Owasso, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Rogers County, Catoosa, Claremore, Mayes County, Adair, Chouteau, Disney, Grand Lake, Langley, Locust Grove, Pensacola, Salina, Spavinaw, Wagoner County, Coweta, Muskogee County, Webbers Falls, Okmulgee County, Pawnee County, Keystone Lake, Osage County, Pawhuska, Hominy, Nowata County, Coffeyville, Craig County, Vinita, Big Cabin, Washington County, Bartlesville, Copan, and Dewey.