As Marijuana Laws Loosen in Other States, South Carolina Cracks Down on Colleton County

Police reports say that officials in Colleton County have seized more than 1,800 marijuana plants from a greenhouse.

Deputies report that they found 65 lbs of dried and packaged marijuana when they searched a house on Friday, January 3rd. Homeowner Michael Rea, 62, was charged with manufacturing marijuana, as well as trafficking marijuana.

Rea’s operating greenhouse also contained 1,854 marijuana plants.

Rea was transported to the Colleton County Detention Center. It is unknown if he has a lawyer.

As South Carolina Cracks Down on Marijuana, New York Considers Loosening Laws

As authorities bust marijuana manufacturers and distributors across South Carolina, Colorado has survived its first few days after legalizing the sale and use of recreational marijuana. Additionally, New York’s governor Andrew Cuomo has stated that he is considering loosening the state’s “draconian” drug laws to allow for medical marijuana use.

Gov. Cuomo has, in the past, opposed the legalization of marijuana for any reason on the state of New York. Unlike previous states, such as Colorado, California, New Jersey, and Washington state, which have legalized marijuana use for medical and even recreational purposes, Cuomo’s proposition is highly restrictive. It will allow only 20 hospitals to prescribe marijuana to patients with glaucoma, cancer, and other diseases that meet standards of use that will be set by the New York State Department of Health.

Meanwhile, South Carolina still has incredibly stringent marijuana regulation, from simple possession to growing operations. House Minority Leader Tim Rutherford recently proposed that South Carolina change their drug laws and allow for medical marijuana use, citing several studies that suggest that using marijuana in small doses can help patients who suffer long-term chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia or cancer. DHEC can, as of a law in 1980, choose to dispense marijuana, but only if the federal government OK’s the drug’s use. While federal regulators have not officially OK’d the use of marijuana, either for medicinal or recreational use, the decriminalization of marijuana could pave the way for Rutherford’s proposal.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Marijuana Drug Charges

Until different marijuana legislation is passed through the South Carolina state legislature, a first time offender charged with simple possession of marijuana can face up to thirty days in jail and be ordered to pay a fine, which can more than double when you add in court costs.

Penalties for Trafficking Marijuana: more than ten pounds, but less than one hundred pounds, can include:

• First offense: One to 10 years in prison and $10,000 in fines;
• Five to 20 years in prison and $15,000 in fines for a second offense trafficking charge;
• 25 years in prison and $20,000 in fines for a third or subsequent offense.

If you are charged with trafficking over one hundred pounds of marijuana your possible conviction can result in up to 30 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.

The penalties can significantly increase depending upon:

• The type of drug,
• the quantity of drugs,
• whether your case is brought in State or Federal court,
• your prior criminal record, or
• if you are accused of a drug crime within proximity of a school, park, or childcare facility.

The marijuana trafficking and possession lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients, providing aggressive representation grounded in our years of experience building and interpreting the laws of South Carolina. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case. 803.252.4800