If you have been charged with a drug crime involving the drug marijuana (also known as weed, pot, indo), it is necessary that you contact a skilled, aggressive, and experienced defense attorney right away.
At Hedding Law Firm, you will find that skilled, aggressive, and experienced attorney you are looking for. We will protect your rights and fight on your behalf !
Under federal law, marijuana is treated like cocaine and heroin. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug; as a highly addictive drug with no medical purpose.
In a 2005 case, Gonzales v. Raich, the United States Supreme Court held that the federal government has the constitutional authority to make illegal marijuana for all purposes.
Under Federal law, possession of marijuana in any amount is punishable by up to one year in jail and a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first conviction. For a second conviction, the penalties increase to a 15-day mandatory minimum sentence with a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. Following convictions bear a 90-day mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Manufacture or distribution, depending on the amount, can result in prison time of 5-40 years and fines of $250,000 - $4,000,000.
In the state of California, marijuana has been decriminalized to a certain extent but still punishable as a felony.
*Possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana is now a civil infraction with a penalty of $100 fine; possession of greater than 28.5 grams is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
*Possession of 28.5 grams or less of marijuana on school grounds when the school is in session is punishable by up to 10 days in jail and a $250 fine. Possession of greater than 28.5 grams or more of marijuana in a school zone is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
*The cultivation or processing of any amount of marijuana is punishable by up to sixteen months in state prison.
Medical marijuana: Medical patients and their selected primary caregivers may legally possess and grow marijuana if they have a physician's recommendation or approval.
*Selling marijuana in any amount is punishable by 2 - 4 years in the state prison. (If selling to a minor - punishable by 3-5 years in state prison). There is no exception to this law for medical marijuana patients.
For anyone under the age of 21 convicted of any of the above offenses, the state may suspend the offender's driver's license for up to one year.
In some drug cases, an offender may be eligible for an alternative sentencing instead of jail, such as drug diversion programs or counseling and treatment.
Contact our
drug lawyers in L.A. and we will discuss all your options and do everything we can to avoid jail time and excessive fines.
We have a combined 75 years of experience and have dealt with thousands of drug cases involving marijuana.
Contact our attorneys in L.A. today for a free consultation.