Marijuana Possession
Marijuana, an illicit drug derived from the Cannabis plant, is forbidden except for licensed medical purposes on a national level by the Controlled Substances Act. It is one of the most common illegal substances used in the U.S., and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of arrests every year.
In the state of California, illegal possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 or jail time, although the exact punishment depends upon a number of factors, such as setting and amount. Possession at an educational institution for grades K through 12, for example, can result in harsher consequences than would arise from possession at a private residence.
Types of Marijuana Offenses
Convictable offenses related to marijuana include:
- Possession
- Possession with intent to sell
- Sale, transportation, or distribution
- Sale to minors
Each of these charges carries its own specific range of punishments, from probation to a jail sentence of several years. The ins and outs of marijuana regulation can be complex. Anyone under the age of 21 convicted of marijuana possession faces a mandatory 12-month suspension of his or her driver’s license, regardless of whether the offense was driving-related or not, and while the sale and manufacture of marijuana-related paraphernalia is illegal, the possession of these products is not.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has been charged with marijuana possession, it is important to know your rights and options. For more information on how the veteran team at the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, P.C. can help you deal with this charge quickly and effectively, call our San Jose drug crime attorneys at (408) 296-4100 today.
