JRNL 453 Court Story

Licensed dealers who give buyers access to medical marijuana plants without checking for ID are likely to get slammed with serious charges.

Recovering addicts who consistently pass drug tests and participate in relapse and recovery programs will have good reports filed about them after their hearing.

Parents, on the other hand, with long criminal histories, have a higher risk of going to prison, as do their children for making similar mistakes.

The situations described above came from real-life cases reviewed at the 14B District Court in Ypsilanti Township November 15. Every state has its own set of drug laws, and below, is a brief overview of these offenses, as well as an explanation of key terms related to drug crimes.

First, one key difference between state and federal laws is that while the majority of federal drug convictions are obtained for trafficking, the majority of local and state arrests are made on charges of possession. Out of these state and local arrests, over half are for the possession of marijuana.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the demand for B.C. Bud (British Columbia-grown marijuana) in Michigan has increased significantly because of its high amount of tetrahydrcannabinol (THC) compared to domestic varieties. A person could get years in jail for possession of marijuana, depending on the amount.
Federal drug charges generally carry harsher punishments and longer sentences. State arrests for simple possession (i.e. possession without intent to distribute the drug) tend to be charged as misdemeanors and usually involve probation, a short term in a local jail, or a fine—depending on the criminal history and age of the person being charged.

According to a legal information website called, NOLO.com, when a federal or state government classifies a certain substance as "controlled," it generally means that the use and distribution of the substance is governed by law. Controlled substances are often classified at different levels or "schedules" under federal and state statutes. For example, under the federal Controlled Substances Act, marijuana is listed as a "Schedule I controlled substance," cocaine is listed under Schedule II, anabolic steroids under Schedule III, and so on. The list includes a number of medications that are fairly common -- you'll find cough medicine containing low levels of codeine classified under Schedule V.

As a drug charge, "distribution" usually means that a person is accused of selling, delivering, or providing controlled substances illegally. This charge is often used if someone tries to sell drugs to an undercover officer. Trafficking generally refers to the illegal sale and/or distribution of a controlled substance.

Federal and state drug trafficking/distribution laws and punishments vary according to drug type, amount, geographic area of distribution, and whether minors were sold to or targeted. Drug trafficking/distribution laws can implicate a single individual or a broad ring of people involved in organized illegal drug activity.

“Kids don’t want to be like their parents; they want to be their parents,” said Honorary Charles Pope during a hearing at the Ypsilanti district court. “They see (crime) and think it’s normal.”



There are two types of alcoholics anonymous meetings – the open meeting and the closed meeting. The open meetings will have speakers who will talk about how they drank, how AA helped them and people will share experiences. Family members and people interested in AA are welcome to attend open meetings. The following are local companies that offer a variety of

Washtenaw Area : Narcotics Anonymous - Includes Ann Arbor, Canton, Chelsea, Saline, & Ypsilanti.  Meeting information line (734) 913-9839.  24 hour helpline (248) 543-7200.  Activities line (248) 399-2525.  Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Washtenaw Alano Club - A recovery clubhouse.  Hosts Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon, Debtors Anonymous (DA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), & Sex & Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA), meetings.  .  995 North Maple Avenue.  Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Michigan.