TN Drug Possession Laws Bonnaroo 2013

Here are some pointers and FYI’s in hopes you can avoid a possession citation or arrest while you’re at Bonnaroo. Drug

crimes in Tennessee are complex and potential consequences if convicted can require looking at a number of factors, including the type of drug, whether any potential enhancements may apply (such as whether you were charged within a school zone) and the range of the offender if it is a felony charge. This is intended to be a summary of Tennessee’s drug laws, however if you have either been arrested or received a citation for a drug offense, you should call a Tennessee lawyer and consult directly with them about your case.

Which drugs are illegal in Tennessee?

Any scheduled drug, without a prescription, is illegal. (Includes marijuana and synthetic marijuana.)

Drug Crimes in Tennessee

Simple Possession: of any drug in Tennessee is a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by fines, costs and 11 months, 29 days in jail. If you received a citation for any drug crime, it is a misdemeanor drug offense. If you were arrested, it could be either a misdemeanor or a felony. Minimum fines depend on the schedule of the drug and court costs vary in each Tennessee county. Typically, a simple possession charge, with both court costs and fines, will be anywhere from $1,000 to $1,600.

Possession with Intent: Tennessee law has pre-determined that certain amounts of drugs are indicative of more than ‘just for personal use’. This does not mean you are presumed guilty of a felony drug crime. The State of Tennessee still must prove you possessed the drugs with the intent to sell or distribute beyond a reasonable doubt.

Sale of a Controlled Substance: When charged, a law enforcement officer has typically directly observed a drug sale, or more often, the sale involved an undercover officer. Sale of a controlled substance in Tennessee is a felony, the potential sentence being determined by the type and amount of the drug (see: Scheduled Drugs in Tennessee), the location of the sale, and the number of prior felonies the person being charged has been convicted.

Marijuana Laws in Tennessee 

Any amount greater than ½ an ounce of Marijuana can be charged as a Felony in Tennessee

Up to ½ ounce – Class A Misdemeanor (Simple Possession)

½ Ounce to 10 lbs – Class E Felony, 1 – 6 years, (Sale, or Possession with Intent)

10 lbs to 70 lbs – Class D Felony, 2 – 12 years, (Sale, or Possession with Intent)

70 lbs to 300 lbs – Class C Felony, 3 – 15 years,  (Sale, or Possession with Intent)

300+ lbs – Class B Felony, 8 – 30 years, (Sale, or Possession with Intent)

Also note that any sale, regardless of the amount, is still a felony offense in Tennessee.

What happens if I am charged with a drug crime? Do I need a Lawyer?

If while attending Bonnaroo, you receive a simple possession citation in Coffee County (and only Coffee County), you may have the option of just paying a fine without having to return for court. If you receive a citation in any other county, you will likely have to come to court to resolve the drug charge.