Overview of California Medical Marijuana Laws

Under The Compassionate Use Act and The Medical Marijuana Program Act (more commonly referred to as Senate Bill 420), people in California may legally cultivate, transport and possess marijuana for medical purposes when they have a physician's recommendation (often referred to as a medical marijuana prescription). However, the California Medical Marijuana laws have not stopped local law enforcement agencies from prosecuting people who are legally allowed to possess marijuana for medical purposes.

Although the California Medical Marijuana laws authorize "qualified patients," "primary care givers" and "collectives and cooperatives" to possess and use marijuana in the amount specified by law, the medical marijuana laws do not afford the protected class of people specified above to be free from arrest and criminal prosecution. Even if you are in strict compliance with the California Medical Marijuana laws, you are still subject to arrest and prosecution for transportation, distribution, cultivation and sales of marijuana. Therefore, it is important to have an aggressive and skilled attorney in your corner!

Although medical marijuana is legal in California, federal law still prohibits the transportation, distribution, cultivation and sales of marijuana for any purpose. Therefore, even if you strictly comply with California's Medical Marijuana laws, you are still subject to arrest and prosecution by the federal government. Under federal law there are mandatory prison sentence minimums that a judge must follow if you are convicted. LibertyBell Law Group's federal drug crime attorneys are experienced and skilled in handling all federal drug charges and know how to argue the law under the federal sentencing guidelines. Federal marijuana cases require skilled and aggressive criminal defense attorneys who are knowledgeable about federal marijuana law and the often complex and confusing federal sentencing guidelines.

DEFEND YOURSELF

Medical Marijuana Collectives and Cooperatives

Under California Health & Safety Code §11362.775, the law gives qualified patients and primary caregivers who associate "collectively or cooperatively" in not-for-profit operations the right to cultivate medical marijuana to meet their collective medicinal needs.

A medical marijuana collective or cooperative must strictly adhere to the California Medical Marijuana laws spelled out in The Compassionate Use Act and The Medical Marijuana Program Act. In order to comply with the requirements of California's Medical Marijuana laws it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced, qualified and aggressive attorney that can advise you how to properly run and operate a collective or cooperative.

Failure to follow the proper procedure when operating a collective or cooperative could result in your business being shut down and criminal charges being filed against you. If you own or manage a medical marijuana collective or cooperative you could be charged with transportation, distribution, cultivation and sales of marijuana.

Why Hire LibertyBell Law Group?

In the wake of the uncertainty under California law and with the daily threats of closure and prosecution by the Los Angeles County District Attorney and the Los Angeles City Attorney, LibertyBell Law Group has assembled a team of experienced, knowledgeable and aggressive attorneys to represent and defend your legal rights for medical marijuana collectives and cooperatives throughout California.

Immediate action is needed to insure the best possible defense, even if you do not know if you will be charged and even if you do believe you are in compliance with California law. Our experience has shown that a majority of owners and managers of medical marijuana collectives or cooperatives are not in compliance with California medical marijuana law. If you have been questioned or if you have been told an investigator wants to speak with you, experienced legal counsel should be retained promptly. If you have not given a statement YOU SHOULD NOT do so until you have discussed the matter with an experienced attorney.

At LibertyBell Law Group we work as a TEAM to strategize and implement legal defenses that are fitted to your particular needs in order to achieve the best result possible. With our skilled and experienced attorneys, we know how to implement techniques on a case by case basis that have proven successful for many individuals facing extremely serious charges. Remember, not only is your business at risk, but your life is at stake as well.

If you are an owner or manager of a medical marijuana collective or you cultivate, transport and possess marijuana for medical purposes with a physician's recommendation (often referred to as a medical marijuana prescription), call LibertyBell Law Group NOW to protect your rights and defenses!