Nationwide polling data confirms that many Americans now realize how misguided and unfair the war on all Marijuana has been and hopes are high that these changing attitudes will result in a change of laws on both the state and federal levels.

Medical Marijuana has Clear Majority Support
Last month a Huffington Post article clearly laid out the reality that residents throughout the country overwhelming reject laws, which outlaw medical Marijuana use. In the article, a survey by Mason-Dixon highlighted the fact that 75% of the people that responded believed that the federal government should respect state laws regarding medical Marijuana use. Also of interest is the fact that two thirds of all Republicans support medical Marijuana laws.

Current Law
Currently, in this country, there are 16 states, which includes the District of Columbia, that have some form of medical Marijuana law in place; unfortunately, Florida is not one of them. Even though, for the past two years, there have been Constitutional amendments brought before the Florida state Legislature, lawmakers still have not actually voted on the measure. However, this year for the first time, the amendment was introduced into both chambers but even that did not result in the amendment advancing through the process. Incredible as it seems, federal authorities have taken their battle to landlords who rent buildings to legal dispensaries through of having their property seized and prosecution.

Even so, it is still important to know that just because you legalize the use of medical Marijuana in a state, this is just the first step you take toward getting federal laws changed. It is also important to know that you can still be prosecuted on the federal level, by federal authorities enforcing federal Marijuana laws,  even if you are within state laws. Attorney General Eric Holder announced in 2010 that individuals would continue to be prosecuted by federal authorities for possession of Marijuana whether they are in a state with medical Marijuana laws or not. Even medical Marijuana dispensaries as well as newspapers who advertise them have reported that federal authorities still engage in threats and crackdowns.

Advocating Common Sense Drug Laws
It is clear that there is discontent between the government law enforcement agencies and the will of the people. Unfortunately, too many residents have their lives overturned as a result of misguided drug laws.
In Florida, the Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer James Davis works with Florida's residents everyday in their fight against drug laws. The Jacksonville criminal defense lawyer understands the unfairness and lack of common sense, which is imbedded in the criminal justice system. Hopefully, change will come soon but until then, if you are facing drug charges, you will seek a legal professional at the law office of James Davis.