Jan. 21, 2020 NC Criminal Law blog post by Phil Dixon with links to resources for defenders litigating the new crimes of death by distribution and aggravated death by distribution in G.S. 14-18.4 cases.
Drug Analysis
This farmer had a million-dollar hemp crop — until South Carolina bulldozed it
State v. Hewitt, 836 S.E.2d 786 (2019)(unpub)
The court held that it was not plain error for the analyst to testify to the identity of a controlled substance without explaining what type of chemical analysis she performed. She testified she performed a color test and an instrumental analysis.
Marijuana prosecutions in Texas have dropped by more than half since lawmakers legalized hemp
Drug-Induced Homicide Defense Toolkit
The Health In Justice Action Lab of the Northeastern University School of Law has created a toolkit for attorneys defending death by distribution of drugs. This toolkit will be useful to defenders in handling charges of this sort in NC, both for the old murder by distribution and the new death by distribution.
Marijuana or Hemp: From Farm Bill to Forensic Analysis
The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence will offer a webinar on marijuana and hemp analysis. Attendees will hear from experts in agricultural policy, hemp industry analytical testing, and the DEA Special Testing and Research laboratory to obtain a better understanding of the issues that have developed within the field of forensic drug testing since the …
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Inside Philly DA Larry Krasner’s new plan to drop low-level drug charges in favor of addiction treatment
Carts, Wax, and Oh, My: The New World of Marijuana Extracts
Originally posted on Nov. 12, 2019 on the North Carolina Criminal Law blog. The advent of cannabis legalization across the country has led to a proliferation of new types of cannabis products. There are skin patches, food and drinks (for humans and pets), vaporizer or “vape” cartridges (or “carts”), and different concentrate or extract products (“dabs”, “wax” or “shatter”, among other names). [Click …
Carts, Wax, and Oh, My: The New World of Marijuana ExtractsRead More