Marijuana Trafficking Attorneys in Michigan

When the FBI or DEA investigate and prosecute federal marijuana offenses, they always involve large quantities of drugs and, typically, interstate or international transportation. For example, the average amount of marijuana for each case is about 200 pounds of marijuana. Additionally, federal conspiracy laws allow prosecution of all persons involved including drivers.

About 25% of all marijuana trafficking cases in federal court involved defendants who played a minor role, and they received reduced sentences due to their minimal participation in the conspiracies. Understanding the laws and penalties surrounding marijuana trafficking can be challenging, and if you’re facing criminal charges, it’s recommended that you work with a Michigan marijuana trafficking attorney who is experienced in handling these types of cases.

The Law Offices of Barton Morris is a dedicated team of criminal defense lawyers prepared to put our more than 20 years’ experience to work for you.

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What Is the Safety Valve Exception?

The trend over the past five years for federal prosecutions involving marijuana in Michigan has been sentencing beneath the applicable sentencing guidelines. Lately, 23% of all federal drug prosecutions were related to marijuana trafficking. That percentage has been steadily decreasing since 2009, likely due to the increase of state medical marijuana laws. However, it’s important to remember that there are still mandatory minimum sentences in place.

For example, a conviction involving 100 kilograms of marijuana or 100 marijuana plants, regardless of the weight, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison. Meanwhile, 1000 kilograms or 1000 plants carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. The average sentence for federal marijuana trafficking cases is a little more than three years in jail. However, there is something worth exploring called the Safety Valve Exception.

According to FAMM, it “allows a judge to sentence a person below the mandatory minimum term if certain conditions are met. Safety valves can be broad or narrow, applying to many or few crimes (e.g., drug crimes only) or types of offenders (e.g., nonviolent offenders). They do not repeal or eliminate mandatory minimum sentences. However, safety valves save taxpayers money because they allow courts to give shorter, more appropriate prison sentences to offenders who pose less of a public safety threat.

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A sentencing court can give a more lenient sentence if the following conditions are met:

• The offender has no prior criminal record
• The offender didn’t use violence or a firearm
• The offense didn’t result in death or bodily injury to another person
• The offender wasn’t a leader, organizer, manager, or supervisor of others in the offense
• The defendant must have provided the government with truthful information and evidence concerning the crime and other offenses that were part of the same course of conduct or of a common scheme or plan. If the defendant doesn’t have any relevant or useful information to provide to the government, this shall not preclude a determination by the court that the defendant has complied with this requirement.

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We Understand How the Prosecution Operates

With a strong foundation of experience and extensive research, our marijuana trafficking attorneys know how the prosecution works. We can use this information to help you build an even stronger defense, helping you feel more confident in court.

Helping our clients through a difficult situation is a very special thing. At The Law Offices of Barton Morris, we believe that one mistake doesn’t define a person. We’re also guided by our belief in rehabilitation over punishment and always work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

If you’re facing drug or marijuana trafficking charges in Michigan, our legal team can help.

Facing a marijuana-related charge? Not happy with our current attorney? Request a free consultation now.