Marijuana Laws

PROPOSITION 64 UPDATE:  California Voters passed a legalization bill that has overhauled CA marijuana laws.  Adults over 21 may possess marijuana for personal use, and it is not criminal, not even an infraction.  Prop 64 also made possession for sale, transportation and cultivation MISDEMEANORS instead of felonies.  This applies retroactively, and old marijuana convictions for formerly felony offenses are eligible for reduction to misdemeanors.  More About Prop 64

LOS ANGELES MARIJUANA LAWYER
California is often associated with marijuana.  While states like Washington and Colorado have legalized even recreational use of the plant, California is considered to be one of the most lenient states regarding marijuana laws.  When I worked for the Alternate Public Defender in San Diego, one of my clients was granted probation after being arrested with over 300 pounds of marijuana.  Try that in Oklahoma.

Possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use is not a serious offense in California.  Health and Safety Code 11357(b) makes possessing up to an ounce of marijuana is an infraction, punishable only by a fine of $100.  Additionally, loosely-defined medical marijuana laws privilege many Californians to legally possess, and even grow their own marijuana.  Still, marijuana cases do make their way to court and marijuana users find themselves charged with a variety of different offenses.

POSSESSION OFFENSES
Possession of more than one ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $500 pursuant to HS 11357(c).  Possessing any amount of concentrated cannabis (hash, wax, hash oil, etc.) is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $500 (HS 11357(a)).  This crime could be charged as a misdemeanor or felony until recently, when CA voters passed Prop 47, a new law that means all simple drug possession, including concentrated cannabis for personal use, is a misdemeanor.  Possession misdemeanors are often eligible for deferred entry of judgement (DEJ).  PC 1000, more often used when other drugs are involved, can help you avoid a conviction for larger amounts of marijuana or any amount of concentrated cannabis.

SALE and POSSESSION FOR SALE
Possessing any amount of marijuana with the intent to sell it is a misdemeanor in California (without proper medical or recreational licensing).  HS 11359 imposes very harsh punishments for marijuana sales.  Someone charged with marijuana sales could get up to 7 years in prison (if sold to a minor under 15), but most people charged with marijuana possession for sale do not end up doing any prison time.  Despite the severity of these charges, there are plenty of options to defend you in marijuana sales cases.  First, the Fourth Amendment often invalidates searches.  Moreover, undercover controlled buys of marijuana often run afoul of entrapment laws.  Additionally, proving an intent to sell can be quite difficult for the government to do.  Large quantities, scales, money do not automatically mean that marijuana is possessed for sale.  Marijuana, like most drugs (or most commodities for that matter), is cheaper when purchased in bulk.  Someone buying anything in bulk has an interest in checking the actual weight and may even divide it up to control their own personal use.

If getting your sales charge thrown out isn't an option, there is room for plea deals that involve using a lesser charge.  For example, DAs will sometimes agree to a lesser charge that seems less serious, helping to keep your record clean.  Additionally, not having a drug sales offense is categorically different.  Explaining a possession of hash charge is much easier and carries much less stigma than explaining a conviction for marijuana sales. 

CULTIVATION
Growing marijuana, even for personal use, is a misdemeanor pursuant to HS 11358.  If cultivation is for personal use, it may be eligible for Deferred Entry of Judgment (a delayed dismissal of your case).  Marijuana cultivation cases often involve Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues.  For example, since 2001, law enforcement officers are not permitted to use thermal imaging devices to detect indoor grow operations, but they are still doing it!  Cops have been caught (infra)red-handed falsifying affidavits to get search warrants after scanning a house with unlawful technology.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA
For over 15 years now, California has permitted medical marijuana patients to use, and even cultivate, marijuana for a wide range of medical issues.  HS 11362.7-HS11362.83 provide that patients may possess up to 8 ounces of marijuana or 6 mature plants.  Having an up to date doctor's recommendation should protect you from arrest/seizure of your marijuana, but law enforcement officers do not always recognize these letters.  Medical marijuana patients can, however, obtain county-issued medical marijuana ID cards that police must respect.

Quick Facts:
-Medical marijuana patients can get marijuana returned to them if confiscated
-Probationers may be able to use medical marijuana while on probation
-Medical conditions requiring medical marijuana are confidential
-Patients and caregivers may transport medical marijuana
-Medical marijuana patients are protected in possessing concentrated cannabis

If you have been arrested for a crime involving marijuana, you should speak with a Los Angeles marijuana attorney to discuss your rights. 

OTHER DRUGS
For information on California law regarding drugs other than marijuana, please visit a Guide to California Drug Crimes.

If you or a loved one is facing marijuana-related charges, or has an old marijuana conviction, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Loncar now for a Free Consultation.  213-375-3775.

IMPORTANT LINKS:
LA Sheriff's Inmate Locator 
Los Angeles Superior Court  
Los Angeles Police Department
Los Angeles Felony Bail Schedule
Los Angeles Misdemeanor Bail Schedule

Nicholas M. Loncar, Esq. 
Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney
t: 213-375-3775 | f: 213-375-3099
Mobile: 323-803-4352 
Nicholas.Loncar@iDefendLosAngeles.com
1200 Wilshire Blvd | Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA | 90017
www.iDefendLosAngeles.com

By Nicholas Loncar

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