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 […]
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 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, […]
It goes without saying that postal service investigations rarely turn out well for those who receive marijuana products by mail. Drug dogs and search warrants will conspire to reveal the contents of suspicious packages before they reach the mailbox. At that point, the recipients face a Hobson’s choice: either snitch on friends or cop to […]
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? […]
The drug defense attorneys at GRL have blogged before on the pitfalls of being stopped by police with marijuana in your personal vehicle. Fortunately, Iowa no longer suspends your driving privileges for drug convictions. Does this mean you can keep personal use quantities in the sleeper area of a semi truck? In a word, no. […]
Garner, Hancock County, Iowa. After successfully vacating two convictions through post-conviction relief efforts [more on that here], the drug defense attorneys at GRL Law accomplished what former trial counsel was simply unable to do years ago: develop reasonable doubt that our client committed any felony offense involving marijuana or marijuana edibles. Our aggressive pre-trial discovery […]
Greenfield, Adair County, Iowa. The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law prevailed again today by successfully securing a court order for the return of over-the-counter cannabidiol (CBD) products seized by local law enforcement. The estimated retail value of these CBD products exceeded $3,000, which is believed to be the largest seizure of its kind in […]
Garner, Hancock County, Iowa. The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law successfully raised and litigated a claim of actual innocence resulting in the district court setting aside a felony conviction from 2017. Prior counsel advised our client to plead guilty to a felony charge of administering marijuana edibles to another in violation of Iowa Code […]
