Before recreational and medical marijuana was legalized in this state, my brother got caught with an ounce of marijuana and he was arrested.
- My parents paid a lawyer to help get my brother out of trouble, however it did not work; He got a 10-year sentence for carrying a personal amount of marijuana.
My brother wasn’t a drug contractor and he wasn’t trying to cause any problems. My mom and dad were devastated when my brother was convicted and found guilty. He spent numerous years in prison and then the government changed the laws. When they legalized the sale of cannabis, they also legalized possession of up to 1 oz. My brother was suddenly in prison for a crime that was no longer on the books. Since new laws needed to be considered, the court agreed to appoint another court date for my brother’s case. My parents got a minute mortgage on their beach house so they could get a better lawyer that would help my brother finally get out of prison. The lawyer worked all day and all night on the case. When it finally went to trial, everyone was ready for some enjoyable news. The judge threw out the conviction and sent my brother on the same day. My mom and my dad were overwhelmed and they never expected my brother to come house after spending all that time in prison. I hope that my brother will be able to make a life for himself now that he is out of that bad institution, however only time will tell if that stage of incarceration ruined his life or not.