Florida has seen a dramatic rise the last few years in domestic drug cultivation, primarily home grown marijuana. The growers are moving their operations indoors and law enforcement is aware of the growing issue. If you are arrested for drug cultivation in Florida you may be charged with one of two crimes:
Cultivation with the intent of personal use-this is the lesser of the two charges, but still serious nonetheless. The charge is punishable as a misdemeanor and you may face up to a year in county jail for the offense if you are convicted.
Cultivation with the intent to distribute-this is a felony and if convicted, you'll face a minimum of one year in state prison.
In addition to prison time, fines, mandatory rehabilitation as well as registering as a narcotics offender may be tacked on to your offense if the court deems it appropriate.
Drug manufacturing, such as in meth labs, has also seen an increase in Florida. Because the raw ingredients necessary to manufacture meth and crystal meth are easily available, many individuals have chosen to manufacture these drugs in their homes. The procedure can be somewhat risky since the chemicals are unstable and may lead to fires and explosions. Law enforcement officials are cracking down on such home labs.
An important line of defense in these cases involves an investigation of the police's search and seizure methods. The Constitution guarantees protection from unwarranted and indiscriminate search and seizures. However, the zero tolerance drug climate makes this argument a challenge in the present circumstances.
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