Patrick Beadle, a 46-year-old father of two, was sentenced to eight years in prison, without the possibility of parole, for possessing nearly three pounds of medicinal marijuana. He was pulled over for allegedly crossing a double-yellow line, and police found the weed during a routine search.
In Mississippi, possessing between one and five kilograms of marijuana carries a penalty between six and 24 years in jail and up to a $500,000 fine. Beadle had 2.89 pounds, which is just over one kilo. One might ask, “how many joints is that?” And of course, like all great questions, the answer is, it depends. But for sake of conversation, a typical cigarette contains abut 0.7 grams of tobacco. Converting to the Imperial system of measurement, that would equate to about 40 cigarettes in an ounce. Three pounds is 48 ounces.
Size Matters, but Is It Direct Evidence?
Prosecutors conceded at trial that the only evidence they had of trafficking was circumstantial, the large amount of pot Beadle had on him. None of the usual trafficking evidence was found, such as a scale, bags for distribution, large sums of money or weapons.
If you feel that you or someone you love has been subjected to criminal drug charges, contact a drug crime attorney. A legal professional can inform you of current laws and trends in your area, and help you decide your best legal course of action.
Related Resources:
- Browse Drug Crime Lawyers Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
- Death Penalty Proposed for Drug Dealers: Is That Even Possible? (FindLaw Blotter)
- Do You Toke This Blunt? Legal Risks of Weed at Your Wedding (FindLaw Legally Weird)
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