July 17, 2023 | Drug Crimes
There are plenty of reasons why people choose to consume cannabis. Aside from recreational use, studies have shown that weed is an effective way to help with anxiety, inflammation, nausea, medically necessary weight gain, and more.
The problem is that cannabis isn’t federally legal in the United States. However, many individual states have legalized marijuana, with several others in the process of doing so. This can be exceptionally confusing for cannabis users who want to follow the law but aren’t sure what exactly is or is not legal.
Cannabis Legality in the United States
Overall, 24 of the 50 United States have chosen to legalize recreational cannabis, with more on the way. It’s important to note that cannabis sellers have an extensive licensing journey, facing many legal obstacles before they are allowed to begin lawfully selling cannabis. Selling cannabis on the street without a license, even if obtained lawfully, is still illegal in every state.
In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana with the Compassionate Use Act. At this point in time, 38 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana.
Mail-Order Weed Laws in the United States
Mail-order weed is just what it sounds like. You order a specific amount and type of marijuana, and a carrier delivers it to your house. For individuals with disabilities who have trouble moving around, mail-order weed can be a particularly appealing option.
Mail-order weed laws in the United States can be tricky, especially when it comes to crossing state lines. There are several factors to keep in mind if you’re hoping to obtain mail-order weed.
First, it’s important to remember that cannabis is still federally illegal and remains a Schedule 1 drug under federal law. While some states have made marijuana possession legal under local law, marijuana possession is still technically a federal crime.
This means that shipping weed via the United States Postal Service is also a federal crime. Additionally, because the USPS is a government agency, any illegal use of its services is a felony.
You may be wondering if it’s possible to legally mail weed through a private courier. The three major private couriers are as follows:
- DHL
- FedEx
- UPS
Each one specifies that shipping any form of marijuana remains illegal.
Of course, the extensive number of packages being mailed every single day makes it difficult to enforce the illegality of mail-order cannabis. However, this does not change the fact that it indeed remains illegal, and you will be subject to penalties if you are caught.
Mailing Delta-8 and Hemp Products
The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp and hemp-derived products (products with less than .3% THC) federally legal. For that reason, some hemp products can be mailed legally within the United States.
Many folks believe that because Delta-8 is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that differs from Delta-9, it must be legal to mail it. This is not necessarily true, however – it depends on the state.
Can You Legally Order Weed Through the Mail?
The legality of mail-order weed depends on what you mean by “weed.” Most people are referring to the THC flower. In this case, no, mail-order weed is not legal. However, there are other cannabinoid and cannabis products (such as hemp) that are federally legal to send and receive via postal mail.
However, it’s important to remember that even if the product is federally legal to mail, there are some private couriers that prohibit the mailing of certain hemp products. To avoid legal consequences, check your private courier’s regulations before mailing or receiving any hemp products.
Contact the Louisville Criminal Defense Attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC For Help Today
For more information, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC give us a call today at (502) 371-7000 or visit us at our Louisville law office.
Suhre & Associates, LLC
214 S Clay St A
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 371-7000