Maybe you met some new friends at college who convinced you to try it. Maybe you were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time, or maybe a lapse in judgment led you to do something you normally wouldn't do.
Either way, if you're currently facing legal problems associated with marijuana, you are certainly not the first young adult in Tennessee to do so.
Certain behaviors apparently common among marijuana users
Whether you and your friends have ever gotten involved in these activities, those who have researched the topic say many who use marijuana, especially teenagers and young adults, have participated in one or more of the following:
- Risky sexual behavior: Reportedly, the more frequently you use and the higher the dose, the more prone to this type of behavior you might be.
- Reckless driving: Studies show a correlation between smoking marijuana and increased chances for car accidents if you use the drug then get behind the wheel to drive.
- Dropping out of school: If you become a long-term user of marijuana, you may join the ranks of many others who have dropped out of school before obtaining diplomas.
No one can assume that just because you have smoked marijuana, you are going to do these things. However, the more frequently you smoke, the greater the risk.
Marijuana may leave you at risk for legal trouble, too
What if you're driving a car and police officer pulls you over; then, upon approaching your vehicle, the officer claims to smell marijuana and asks you to exit the vehicle? In such circumstances, it is important to remember:
- Anything you say or do can later be used to incriminate you in court.
- You are entitled to speak with a defense attorney before answering any questions.
- If you refuse to submit to chemical tests, you may be at risk for a driver's license suspension.
- If any charges are filed against you, you may fight those charges in court.
If police charge you with possession of marijuana, impaired driving under the influence of drugs or any other marijuana-related crime, you will want to build as strong a defense as possible.
The holidays are soon approaching. The last thing you need is to be spending your winter break from school sitting in a police station or courtroom in Tennessee because you've been charged with a drug crime. However, if this happens to you, your chances for obtaining a positive outcome may be increased by acting alongside experienced and aggressive defense assistance.