San Diego and the War on Drugs

In an effort to curb the use of recreational drugs considered too harmful for casual consumption, federal, state and local governments fight a seemingly never-ending battle against producers, dealers and possessors of drugs in a phenomenon labeled "The War on Drugs."  Major battles of this war are fought on the border between the United States and Mexico. Drug cartels funnel large amounts of marijuana, cocaine and other illegal substances through underground tunnels and other clandestine delivery systems. As a result, Mexican and American cities along the border find themselves embroiled in perpetual battle to keep drugs off the streets. San Diego state and federal courts are filled with drug cases, and the prisons are packed to the brim with traffickers and buyers.

Defense attorneys in San Diego like me see the results of the war on drugs in our offices and in court all of the time. Cases range anywhere from simple posession to full on trafficking and production in federal court. Drugs can already have a devastating impact on children and families, but when the justice system gets involved, things can get even worse. A drug conviction can result in difficulty finding a job, getting an apartment or keeping custody of children. It's important to get the best defense possible if you are ever arrested for posession, trafficking or dealing. Don't talk to the police until you have a lawyer by your side to defend you.

In San Diego, the war on drugs is in conflict with California state law when it comes to cannabis, creating a lot of confusion for medial users who think they are following the law. Medical marijuana was made legal in California in 1996 when voters passed Proposition 215. The law made posession and cultivation of marijuana legal for ill patients who were recommended cannabis by their doctor; however, marijuana remained a Schedule I substance according to the federal government's Controlled Substances Act. As a result, the DEA and other federal authories still routinely prosecute individuals for marijuana posession in San Diego.

If you're arrested by the DEA or other federal agencies for marijuana, flashing your medical card won't do you any good. You need to find a lawyer who has experience with federal drug cases.