Tag: tax stamp

Felony Drug Charges Dismissed After Deputy Whiffs on Odor

When law enforcements applies for a search warrant based on the odor of marijuana, they must describe to the magistrate how they know recognize the odor. Things like training, experience, etc., in drug interdiction are critically important to establish probable cause to issue the warrant. What happens when the application is silent on training and experience? The drug crime attorneys at GRL Law recently convinced a district court in northwest Iowa to dismiss felony drug charges following a search warrant raid. A deputy sheriff claimed to have detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside a residence during an […]

Posted on September 22, 2022September 28, 2022
Colin Murphy
Articles

Objections to Inadmissible Evidence in Drug Crime Trials Must be Specific

On September 21, 2022 the Iowa Court of Appeals affirmed felony convictions for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and drug tax stamps in State v. Hansel. The ruling provides a great reminder to drug crime attorneys on the proper way to object to evidence, especially “prior bad acts” testimony. In this case, the arresting officer volunteered the defendant had numerous outstanding warrants including one for assault. Defense counsel simply interjected, “Your Honor,” without making a specific objection. It was enough to prevent any further prior bad acts from entering the record, but the toothpaste was obviously now out of […]

Murphy Presents on Cannabis Extracts at IAJ Criminal Law Seminar

On September 16, 2021 Colin Murphy presented at the annual Iowa Association for Justice Criminal Law Seminar in Iowa City. The presentation focused on the current legal status of cannabis extracts. In particular, Colin demonstrated how defense attorneys can defend against marijuana charges involving extracts such as CBD, medical cannabidiol and delta-8 THC. The firm takes great pride in helping to educate both the bench and bar on emerging legal issues. GRL Law. We know hemp.

Drug Charges Resulting from a Trash Rip Search Warrant? Call GRL Law

If you are facing drug charges arising from a trash rip search warrant, then you should call the drug defense attorneys at GRL Law. GRL Law pioneered the novel legal challenge to the admissibility of evidence seized from these search warrants in State v. Wright. Police can no longer trespass onto your personal property to gather information. Iowans also have a constitutionally recognized expectation of privacy in garbage set out for curbside collection. Many attorneys are simply unaware of these recent developments and may overlook the necessary pretrial challenges. Don’t plead guilty to any charges following a search warrant based on […]

GRL Law Secures Dismissal of Felony CBD Charges in Polk County

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 not been fully implemented. Until the approval of the State Hemp Plan by the United States Department of Agriculture, it was unlawful to distribute CBD products under Iowa Code chapter 124. In late November 2019, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (MINE) Task Force officers informed Ms. Navin […]

Posted on November 16, 2020November 18, 2020
Colin Murphy
Articles, GRL Law, Recent Results

Problems with Traffic Stop Lead to Dismissal of Marijuana Charges

West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. The drug defense attorneys at GRL Law successfully negotiated the dismissal of drug charges after challenging the traffic stop. The arresting officer claimed in his report that “the light was red” when “[the car] traversed the intersection.” His dash camera showed instead that our client’s car was nearly through the intersection when the signal changed from yellow to red. There was no evidence the car entered the intersection on a yellow light. The officer later searched the car and discovered nearly 50 grams of processed marijuana flower. No tax stamps were affixed to the […]

Challenging the Certified Weight of Marijuana in Drug Stamp Tax Cases

Most Iowans are unaware they can be charged with a felony for simply possessing 42.5 grams or more of processed marijuana flower without first affixing tax stamps issued by the Iowa Department of Revenue to the Ziploc baggie. Quantities up to 42.5 grams (just shy of one and one-half ounces), especially in a single package, are certainly indicative of personal use. Anything over that amount, however, and you are labeled a “dealer” for tax stamp purposes. At $5.00 per gram, these stamps can add up to 50% to the street cost of medium quality cannabis. That’s a small price to […]

The Legal Status of Hemp Extract in Iowa (Current as of 3/20/2020)

If you are a regular visitor to the blog, then you will recall that way back in May 2019, GRL predicted that it would only be a matter of time before the state explicitly legalized hemp and cannabinoids extracted from hemp, like cannabidiol or CBD following passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. We couldn’t have been more prescient. Not long after the post published, Governor Reynolds signed Senate File 599, now known as the Iowa Hemp Act codified under Iowa Code chapter 204. That means the over-the-counter CBD is legal for retail sale, right? Not exactly. The law in Iowa […]