Columbia Police Department Seizes 8 Lbs of Marijuana, Arrests Man on Drug Charges

The Columbia Police Department, based on a tip, arrested a man and seized $40,000 of marijuana from his apartment.

On Wednesday, October 30th, 35-year-old David Anthony Ryan was arrested on marijuana drug charges for possession with intent to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute within ½ mile of a school.

Narcotics officers found around 8 lbs of marijuana in Ryan’s apartment, with a street value of nearly $40,000, or about $5,000 per pound.

Ryan was transported to the Lexington County Detention Center to await his bond hearing.

Meanwhile, SC Residents are Becoming More OK with Marijuana Use

A new Winthrop poll shows that 4 out of 10 South Carolinians would be okay with legalizing marijuana use.

“I was surprised that many tolerated pot smoking among adults,” said Scott Huffmon, a Winthrop University political scientist who conducted the poll.

“There was an implication in the question that it might be recreational,” he added, “so for more than four out of 10 people to find that acceptable, it makes me wonder, ‘What if I asked about decriminalization only for medical purposes?’ ”

The poll asked people how they felt about adults smoking marijuana, from strong disapproval to strong approval. According to poll results, 20% of South Carolina residents said it was strongly acceptable; 23% said it was somewhat acceptable; 14% said it was somewhat unacceptable; and 41% said it was strongly unacceptable. The remaining survey participants did not know or did not respond.

Several states approved the use of medical marijuana in the last presidential election cycle, and two states – Washington State and Colorado – legalized marijuana for recreational use.

“I think more and more Americans are coming to recognize that marijuana is far less harmful than alcohol,” said Mason Tvert, a spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project, “and we’re seeing record high support for treating it that way.”

The South Carolina legislature failed to discuss medical marijuana use in the past year, although the topic has come up in potential legislation before. Jeff Moore, the executive director of the SC Sheriff’s Association, said that his group has also not formally discussed marijuana legislation, whether for medical or recreational uses, but that the drug is usually discussed in terms of a gateway drug – using marijuana can lead to using stronger, more addictive drugs.

“I did have a sheriff the other day at lunch say, ‘You can bet your bottom dollar in 10 years it will be legal in South Carolina and throughout the rest of the U.S.’ That’s his personal opinion,” Moore said. “The counter-argument is that if there are gateway drugs, it’s legal things like alcohol and cigarettes.”

If You Face Marijuana Charges, the Strom Law Firm Can Help

If you or a loved one have been found with marijuana, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800