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As we come to the end of the year, marijuana continues to occupy a prominent place in the news. From smuggling to legislation, here are a few of the stories that have been headlined in and around Phoenix during the last two weeks of 2012:
- Police arrested a man on marijuana and gun possession charges after they say he provided the drugs to minors to have them act as his salesmen. The arrest came after the suspect was allegedly spotted by officers in an unmarked car. The article notes that the police witnessed an exchange that they (the officers) thought “looked like drug activity”, although the details of the activity were not provided.
- A federal judge in Phoenix has set a trial date for a United State Border Patrol agent accused of smuggling marijuana into the country from Mexico. This time the authorities observed the activity by way of aerial surveillance. They say that the agent was caught loading what looked like bundles of marijuana into his patrol car, after which he spent several hours resuming his regular duties. Eventually, they discovered almost 150 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle. The agent has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
- We reported in our blog of December 14 (Arizona Medical Marijuana Law Upheld) that Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Act recently withstood another court challenge. In the case, the Maricopa County Superior Court issued a ruling allowing the licensing process of marijuana dispensaries to move forward. Specifically, the ruling required the County to provide zoning clearance for a dispensary, despite the state’s and the county’s contention that the law violates federal drug statutes. The ruling was taken to the Arizona Court of Appeals, and last week a three-judge panel refused to issue a stay of the decision pending appeal. This represents yet another defeat for the government, and paves the way for the finalization of the approval process for 125 licensed marijuana dispensaries.
Notwithstanding changes in the laws in various states, including Arizona, marijuana continues to occupy center stage in the war on drugs. If you are facing a marijuana charge, call us today for a free, confidential consultation.
Law Offices of David A. Black
40 North Central Avenue #1850
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(480) 280-8028
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