Manhattan Drug Crime Defense Lawyers

The penalties can be even more severe for crimes of sale and distribution. “Sale” does not necessarily have to mean an actual, successful exchange for money. In the legal context, selling a controlled substance includes bartering, giving away, manufacturing, distributing, delivering, exchanging, or offering to perform any of these activities.

Sale of an illegal substance can be charged as either a misdemeanor with one year of jail time or a felony with to 40 years in prison for a first offense. In situations when a defendant has been convicted of prior offenses, they may even receive a life sentence. Misdemeanor sale crimes can also result in up to $1,000 in fines, and felony sale crimes can be as high as $250,000 per offense.

If you have been convicted of selling drugs, you will also be issued a probation sentence that can last for 12 months or 2-5 years. Probation can require a variety of conditions, such as regularly reporting to a probation officer, refraining from more criminal activity, submitting to random drug tests, submitting to random home or vehicle searches, and performing community service.

Is Marijuana Legal in Kansas?

At this time, the possession and sale of marijuana for recreational purposes are not legal in Kansas. Medical marijuana has been legalized in the state but with very strict limitations on who can access it and for what purposes. It can only be prescribed for severe medical conditions such as seizures, certain cancers, and PTSD. Possession of small amounts (under 32 grams) of marijuana is a misdemeanor offense with potential punishments, including fines and jail time, while more significant amounts may result in felony charges.l either.

Marijuana Possession, Cultivation, and Distribution

Marijuana is handled separately under marijuana-specific laws. Possession of any amount of marijuana is a Class B nonperson misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail. Second convictions are Class A nonperson misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500, and third and subsequent convictions are Level 5 drug felonies punishable by up to 42 months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. 

Distribution is strictly punishable based on the amount in question. The penalties range from a Level 4 drug felony (up to 51 months in prison and/or up to $300,000 in fines) for distributing less than 25 grams of marijuana to a Level 1 drug felony (up to 204 months in prison and/or up to $500,000 in fines) for distributing 30 kilograms or more.

The severity level for the offense may increase by one level if the crime was committed within 1,000 feet of a school. 

The possession, manufacturing, or distribution of drug paraphernalia (materials used to grow, harvest, process, sell, store, or use marijuana) is also a criminal felony. The specific penalties will depend on what the drug paraphernalia was used for.

Contact Our Manhattan Drug Defense Attorney Today

Drug offenses are serious crimes that can be criminalized at both the state level and the federal level. If you are facing accusations of illegal drug use, possession, distribution, or trafficking in Manhattan, KS, do not hesitate to contact our defense lawyers to discuss your legal options. You can count on us to protect your rights as a defendant and help you build a strong case for mitigated charges.

Schedule a free consultation with CJI Law today to get started on your defense.