Possession of marijuana for recreational use became legal in California in 2018. It had already been legal for medical use. This doesn’t mean that people have complete freedom regarding possession and use, however. They still have the risk of getting into trouble with the law if they don’t understand the regulations. A Drug Possession Attorney in Torrance CA represents clients who have been arrested and charged with marijuana-related offenses.
Misdemeanors
Most marijuana offenses in this state are now misdemeanors with relatively low penalties. However, the conviction still carries the possibility of a short time behind bars and a negative on an otherwise clean criminal record. A Drug Possession Attorney in Torrance CA can help by providing aggressive legal defense.
Amounts Allowed
People are allowed to hold up to 1 oz. of marijuana in California for their personal use. Holding more than this amount can result in a 6-month jail penalty and a fine of $500.
Selling and Intent to Distribute
The same penalties are possible when a person is convicted of selling the drug, or intent to deliver or distribute. Selling is only allowed by California residents with a licensed permit.
Intent to distribute is difficult to prove, and lawyers from a firm such as Shook & Associates Inc will attack the idea of anyone being able to objectively judge intent. Even if someone has twice as much marijuana as allowed by law, that cannot automatically be considered an intent to sell it to others. Visit the website to learn more about this particular organization.
Restricted Locations
There also are restrictions on where marijuana use can take place. It is prohibited wherever tobacco use is not allowed, as well as in all public places. People are free to use the drug at home but not in a vehicle.
Felonies
If an adult is charged with selling marijuana to a minor, this is a felony with the risk of more severe penalties. Depending on the circumstances, a defendant could be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison. In California, only individuals of age 21 and older are allowed to use recreational marijuana legally.
