The Iowa Department of Public Health began issuing digital medical cannabidiol registration cards for qualified patients and caregivers. They come complete with a QR code that may be scanned by law enforcement to verify the person’s status. The Department advises that “law enforcement representatives may request to temporarily handle your mobile device to verify your […]
Frequent visitors to the GRL Law Blog are no doubt familiar with our approach to defending medical marijuana charges. The drug defense lawyers recently raised this reciprocity defense in two separate cases. The first dealt with raw cannabis flower purchased in another state with a valid medical card. The other concerned edibles. In both cases, […]
Iowa law defines “drug paraphernalia” to include equipment used to inhale a controlled substance. However, the definition excepts those items used in combination with the lawful use of a controlled substance. How should the law treat smoking accessories used to inhale “medical cannabidiol” or the out-of-state equivalent? We put this question to the test recently […]
Frequent readers of our blog are certainly familiar with the firm’s reciprocity argument regarding medical marijuana. Normally, the State concedes this issue and voluntarily dismisses the charge. However, the Iowa State Patrol trooper involved here objected to a dismissal. So, we had the opportunity to finally pitch our argument to the district court. Our client […]
Does marijuana legalization free police to solve more serious, violent crimes? A recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy suggests that is true. The study looked at crime clearance rates in Oregon from 2007 to 2017. Oregon legalized adult-use marijuana in 2014. Researches found that clearance rates improved after 2014. Police solved […]
Do police have the right to search your car without a warrant if they see THC edibles in your center console during a traffic stop? The answer may surprise you. Suspected contraband in plain view does not necessarily provide probable cause to search the passenger compartment. Sure, the observation alone might provide PC under the […]
On October 13, 2021 GRL Law’s own Colin Murphy spoke before a packed room of cannabis activists at the ISU Memorial Union. The presentation for NORML ISU focused on the current status of marijuana and cannabis extracts. Colin discussed what not to do during traffic stops. He also reviewed important driver rights to assert during […]
The Polk County Attorney’s Office and GRL Law announce the resolution of criminal charges against Lacie Navin arising from the retail sale of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) in December 2019. At the time of her arrest, Iowa’s Hemp Act, S.F. 599, which would provide for the production and retail sale of hemp products in Iowa, had […]
When it comes to possession charges for out-of-state medical marijuana, you should look no further than GRL Law. Many prosecutors will charge these possession offenses under Iowa Code section 124.401(5). This effectively treats medical marijuana like a street drug rather than a therapeutic purchased at a licensed dispensary. Most attorneys who dabble in criminal defense […]
Another year, another flurry of legislative activity regarding the decriminalization of marijuana in Iowa. The latest iteration introduced today in the Judiciary Committee is SF 406. There is certainly plenty to like in the bill. Simple possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana flower is legal. Accommodation of up to an ounce without remuneration? […]
