Charges: Possession of Less Than 20g of Cannabis, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a report from the defendant regarding a home invasion robbery. Upon arriving to the residence, the officer immediately noted an odor of burnt cannabis inside the home. During the robbery investigation, the officer noticed a green leafy substance in plain sight on one of the bathroom surfaces. Based on the officer’s experience, the officer immediately recognized the substance as being cannabis.
The defendant had a closed safe on the floor of his closet, which he voluntarily opened for the officer. The only item inside the safe was a smoking pipe that is commonly used to smoke cannabis. The defendant stated, “I haven’t smoked weed in it since February.” The officer retrieved the pipe, which contained burnt residue and had a distinct odor of burnt cannabis. The defendant denied ownership of the cannabis and denied smoking cannabis. The defendant did not believe his home smelled of burnt cannabis. The defendant was the sole occupant of the bedroom where the cannabis and the cannabis pipe were discovered.
The defendant retained Meldon Law for assistance with this matter. Unfortunately, the defendant was later arrested and charged with possession of less than 20g of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of liquor by a person under 21. After negotiations with the State Attorney’s office, we were able to secure a dismissal of the charges in this matter in exchange for a plea to the newer charges. The State Attorney’s office dismissed all of the charges relating to the cannabis and drug paraphernalia discovered in the defendant’s home.
