Marijuana Violations Defense Lawyer In Scranton

Marijuana offenses are some of the most common drug crimes in the country. Due laws that allow some consumption for medical purposes, marijuana is one of the easiest controlled dangerous substances to get. While the penalties for a marijuana violation are considered separate from other controlled dangerous substances, they can still be life-impacting depending on their seriousness.

At Thompson Law, Lackawanna County, criminal defense lawyer William D. Thompson strives to provide all clients with a well-orchestrated criminal defense that will lead them to the most favorable case outcome. He has considerable criminal defense experience, earning admission into the National Association of Drug Court Professionals as well as an 8.8 “Excellent” rating from Avvo.

Understanding Various Marijuana Charges

Pennsylvania’s marijuana laws are not the strictest in the country, but still could land you in some serious trouble if you are found to be in possession or consuming it without authorization. The marijuana laws in Pennsylvania are as follows:

• Possession: a misdemeanor charge with penalties at a maximum of one year in prison and a $5,000 fine, though the court can double your penalties for subsequent convictions.
• Sales or distribution: a felony charge unless you distribute less than 30 grams for no compensation. Maximum penalties are for extreme cases, but can range up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000 or higher in order to exhaust proceeds from the sale.
• Cultivation: growing your own marijuana is a felony charge with a minimum prison sentence of a year and a maximum fine of $15,000.
• Possession of paraphernalia: possessing things such as blunt papers, water pipes, or other drug-related devices is a misdemeanor with incarceration for up to a year and a $5,000 fine maximums.
• Hash and concentrates: penalties for possession or selling of marijuana concentrates are the same as their nonconcentrate counterparts. Manufacture is a felony with up to five years in prison and a $15,000 maximum fine as penalties.