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Los Angeles Marijuana Charges Defense Lawyers 
Marijuana Charges
Marijuana charges can range from a minor possession offense to a felony crime that may result in incarceration. No matter how minor the offense, it is important to take the charges seriously and to fight them in court with a skilled criminal defense attorney. There are many types of marijuana crimes in California and they all may result in serious penalties.
California Marijuana Laws
Some of the most common marijuana laws in California include:
- Marijuana Possession (Health and Safety Code 11357): "Except as authorized by law, every person who possesses any concentrated cannabis shall be punished." Unless the marijuana is legally obtained, for example for medical use, it is a crime in California to have marijuana.
- Marijuana Possession for Sale (Health and Safety Code 11359): "Every person who possesses for sale any marijuana, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be punished."
- Marijuana Cultivation (Health and Safety Code 11358): "Every person who plants, cultivates, harvests, dries, or processes any marijuana or any part thereof, except as otherwise provided by law, shall be punished."
- Marijuana Sale or Transportation (Health and Safety Code 11360): "Every person who transports, imports into this state, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to transport, import into this state, sell, furnish, administer, or give away, or attempts to import into this state or transport any marijuana shall be punished."
Legalized Marijuana
California police officers are in a constant struggle between enforcing federal laws that consider marijuana an illegal substance and California laws that allow medical marijuana to be purchased at licensed facilities for medical purposes. People with prescriptions from a doctor may legally obtain and use marijuana in California. This does not stop officers from making unnecessary arrests and pursuing unwarranted charges against marijuana users.
Marijuana Penalties in California
The penalties for marijuana crimes depend upon the charges, the circumstances of the crime and the criminal history of the defendant. For example, someone arrested with an ounce or less of marijuana may be charged with a misdemeanor that results in a $100 fine. If more than one ounce is found, the defendant may be charged with up to six months in a county jail and a $500 fine. Cultivation of marijuana could result in imprisonment in a state prison unless the defendant is a legally allowed to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes. Possession of marijuana for sale and actual sale of marijuana are both felonies that can result in up to four years in state prison.
Defending Marijuana Cases
A skilled criminal defense attorney can work to have most marijuana misdemeanor charges thrown out as long as the defendant agrees to participate in a drug diversion program. In felony cases, a criminal defense attorney will carefully review the history of the defendant, the circumstances of the arrest and the evidence possessed by the prosecutors to determine the best course of action.
The LA marijuana defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP have years of experience in successfully defending Californians facing drug charges. If you have been charged with possession, transportation, cultivation or sale of marijuana, call our offices immediately to discuss your case. We offer free consultations.
If you have been arrested for possession of marijuana then please call us immediately for a FREE CONSULTATION at (888) 579-4844
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