In most cases, criminal charges related to illegal drugs will involve accusations that a person was in possession of controlled substances. However, there are other items that may also be related to drugs, including manufacturing equipment, packaging materials, or devices used to consume drugs, and possession of these items may also lead to criminal charges. For those who are involved in criminal cases related to drugs, it is important to understand how the laws in Texas address the possession of drug paraphernalia.
What Is Drug Paraphernalia?
Under Texas law, drug paraphernalia may include any equipment, products, or materials of any kind that are used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, processing, packing, injecting, ingesting, or inhaling controlled substances. In general, anything that can be used to cultivate, package, or consume illegal drugs can be considered drug paraphernalia. Common examples include bongs and pipes used for smoking marijuana or methamphetamine pipes. Other examples include syringes and needles used for injecting drugs like heroin. Devices used to package and distribute drugs may also be considered paraphernalia, such as scales and other measuring devices used to weigh drugs or baggies used to package and distribute substances.
It is important to note that even items that are not specifically designed for use with illegal drugs can still be considered drug paraphernalia under Texas law. For example, a regular kitchen spoon can be considered drug paraphernalia if it is being used to cook methamphetamines. Likewise, an otherwise innocuous piece of paper can be considered drug paraphernalia if it is being used to roll marijuana joints. While these items would not usually be considered paraphernalia on their own, possession of drugs alongside certain items may result in charges related to paraphernalia being added to other drug charges.
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