Although Texas has yet to legalize recreational marijuana use, the national trend is leaning in that direction. Many states have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational use, creating interesting legal scenarios for states that are dragging their feet on the process.
If you are a Texan, your employer probably looks unfavorably on marijuana use. In many cases, recreational drug use is expressly forbidden in an employment contract. However, some court decisions open doors for a more reasonable approach to marijuana use.
In a recent decision, a Texas judge ruled in favor of a teacher who fought to keep her job and licensure after the State Board for Educator Certification attempted to suspend her license for two years for admitting to occasional marijuana use.
The case raises an interesting point. The defendant was working in an environment that prohibited marijuana use, but claimed that the use should not count against her because she had only done so while she was in Colorado – which quite famously legalized recreational use of the drug.
Ultimately, the judge sided with the teacher, marking a potential turning point in both state and national drug prosecution.
The times are changing, but the law is slow to shift
The judge hearing the recent case made the point that holding the teacher accountable for smoking pot while in Colorado is analogous to holding someone accountable for gambling during a weekend in Vegas. Both activities are legal in their respective states, and are illegal here in Texas.
As of this writing, more than half of the states in the union have legalized either medical or recreational marijuana use – a sea change that would have been unthinkable just 15 or 20 years ago.
While the decision is welcome news to drug reform advocates, there is still a long road to travel before Texans can feel comfortable lighting up in their off-hours.
Unfortunately for now, marijuana charges can have severe effects on your life and employment. Even in the case of this teacher, her entire career was nearly derailed, and she wasn’t even facing criminal charges.
If you face drug charges, it is absolutely necessary to do everything you can to fight them and preserve your future.
Choose strong guidance for strong results
Drug charges are not something to dismiss casually. Even if it seems that the tide of public opinion is shifting on recreational drug use, the law is still quite firm on the matter. If convicted, you could lose years of your life to jail time and be unable to qualify for many kinds of jobs or property rental. Truly, a drug conviction is very difficult to move past.
There is no reason to face drug charges without proper legal counsel. An experienced attorney can help you build a strong defense and ensure that your rights remain protected throughout the fight.
