Medical Marijuana Charges

Santa Ana Drug Crime Lawyer

The California Health and Safety Code has given us the circumstances under which a person can legally use marijuana for medicinal purposes. Those who suffer from chronic pain, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma and other medical conditions have been provided with a legal method to not only smoke marijuana but to cultivate it in a limited quantity for their own use. Caregivers can also possess specific quantities of this drug for legal treatment of their patients.

Trouble can occur, however, when the laws governing medical marijuana are not known or fully understood. This applies in particular to the cultivation, handling and transportation of the drug. Strict guidelines must be adhered to in order to possess and use medical marijuana and if any of these are violated, even by accident, you can be prosecuted for state or federal drug charges.

You may be in a situation of having allegedly broken the law, without having the intent of doing so. This can result in drug crime charges such as cultivation, possession, possession with the intent to sell or distribution. Conviction on any of these charges can greatly alter the course of your life. This is why retaining an experienced Santa Ana criminal defense attorney from our firm is vital for the protection of your rights and freedoms. Mr. Schaffer worked for 18 years as an Orange County Deputy District Attorney. We know, therefore, how hard the prosecution will work to convict you and what aggressive actions need to be taken to correctly defend your case.

Federal Prosecution

We defend your charges whether you are a patient using marijuana or a physician who administered it as part of a legal course of treatment. In addition, although the State of California permits the use of medical marijuana, this does not protect you from federal authorities if they feel you have violated the Federal Controlled Substances Act. If you face federal prosecution, you will need an attorney with the type of experience that matters.

Punishments for drug crimes include community service, probation, large fines, mandatory rehabilitation and long terms of incarceration. With our experience in high profile cases and those with special circumstances, we are prepared to fight in your defense.

If your use of medical marijuana has led to drug charges, protect your rights and contact a Santa Ana drug crime lawyer today.