available to all adults on the infamous marijuana holiday of 4/20. While it is perfectly legal to enjoy the festivities, our experienced attorneys also know that Proposition 64 is not a free pass on all pot-related activities. Before imbibing in a safe and responsible way, keep in mind the laws remaining on the books per the CA Health and Safety Code, Division 10, Ch. 6, Article 2 could still result in criminal charges or civil citations.

The following is a list of a few major restrictions to keep in mind when enjoying the perks of recreational marijuana in California:

1. Public consumption: It is still generally illegal to ingest, smoke, or vaporize weed in a public place. There are some exceptions for state-licensed facilities with permission from local governments. Further, any non-smoking area is also off limits for smoking or vaporizing marijuana. It is also forbidden within 1,000 feet of a day care or school occupied by children (unless you are inside a private residence that falls within that perimeter).
2. Drugged driving: It should be a no-brainer that it is illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis. As a recent article from The Sacramento Bee points out, taking one puff or consuming a small amount is not likely to cause impairment, much like a little alcohol is typically fine. However, it is more difficult to know where that line exists with marijuana. THC levels can vary widely, making it less clear what dose a person can consume without impairment. Marijuana can also set in slowly, meaning it could hit well after consumption, possibly while you’re on the road. This makes it difficult to judge simply by how you feel before you get in the car.Just like alcohol, drivers should be aware that open container laws also apply to cannabis. Open or unsealed containers of marijuana must be kept in the trunk, with the exception of those with a medical marijuana card. In those instances, cannabis can be in the main part of the vehicle, but still must be in a closed container. Our attorneys cannot emphasize enough, these laws also apply to passengers. The laws also apply to other motor vehicles, like boats and aircrafts.
3. Age restriction: You must be 21 years of age or older to consume cannabis recreationally. Period. The reasons for this restriction are not simply adults trying to ruin all the fun. Cannabis has been shown to potentially have a negative effect on developing brains, making young people who consume marijuana more susceptible to certain disorders.
4. Drug-free workplaces: Even if you have a super cool boss who doesn’t drug test and doesn’t mind if you use recreationally in your free time, chances are they do not approve of being under the influence while on the job. Don’t lose your career over something that can just as easily be enjoyed on your own time. And be extra cautious if you do not have a cool boss. California does not yet have in place protections for workers who test positive for cannabis, even though it’s legal in the state.

Our Los Angeles marijuana criminal defense lawyers first and foremost want everyone who is celebrating the “high holy day” to do so in a way that is safe. If you do find yourself in trouble, you need a skilled defense attorney like ours on your side who has the experience to provide strong representation for all marijuana-related criminal offenses.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

California Cannabis Laws, California NORML

More Blog Entries:

Los Angeles Marijuana Lawyers Available to Represent 4/20 Arrestees, April 24, 2013, Los Angeles Marijuana Lawyers Blog

, it is almost laughable how many misguided politicians and policymakers are still fighting against it. It is clear to our experienced cannabis attorneys that this conundrum is exactly why many good law-abiding citizens turn to dangerous knockoff substances that have weaseled their way into the market. They do not want to break the law or fail drug tests, but they want to enjoy the benefits of marijuana.

“Synthetic cannabinoids” have been around for years, marketed as legal marijuana knockoffs, when their relation to marijuana stops at their cheeky branding and colorful packaging. Reports are rolling in from Michigan and Illinois of people using K2 or “Spice” and ending up in emergency rooms with uncontrollable bleeding, according to a report from Michigan’s WILX10. A representative from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services claimed in the Midwest, more than 100 have been hospitalized and two have died from this drug. Other forms of so-called artificial pot in the past have reportedly caused side effects such as hallucinations, seizures, heart-rate issues, and other serious medical problems. You might be wondering if these types of drugs have been around for years and are so dangerous, why do they continue to be on the market? Our knowledgeable L.A. marijuana criminal defense attorneys can explain that producers of these drugs are using a pretty typical tactic to evade the law. When a substance is made illegal, it is based on the exact formula that makes up the compound. So when lawmakers pass a law banning a substance, producers only have to amend the formula slightly enough that is no longer is affected by the law. They then can flood the market and make a fine profit before officials catch on and start the long process of banning this new iteration. This is why even though the first version of “synthetic marijuana” was designed to try to mirror the real deal, it has changed so much that it has absolutely nothing in common, though it continues to smear the good name of cannabis.

Meanwhile, marijuana continues to be treated like toxic sludge by our federal government, which has steadfastly stood by the drug’s Schedule I classification under Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 812. Because marijuana is a natural substance, those in the cannabis industry can’t just scramble the formula to push it past legal barriers, nor would they want to. They know cannabis, when grown, cultivated, and used in a responsible way, is a safe and effective drug, regardless of what its classification status claims. It can be used not only for medical purposes, but also for adults to enjoy as an alternative with fewer side effects to other recreational substances, such as alcohol.

Although many states are establishing laws and fighting for the rights of marijuana users and businesses, people across the country are still being treated like criminals for choosing a drug that is eons safer than legal knockoffs. Even in California with both medical and recreational legal guidelines in place through Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, there are still wide swaths of the state with tight restrictions in place, continuing to treat marijuana users like criminals. That’s why our skilled defense attorneys are here to defend you should you find yourself in marijuana-related legal trouble in the Los Angeles area.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients, defendants, workers and those facing criminal marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

Drug Testing Misses Synthetic Cannabinoids: Expert, April 6, 2016, Celia Vimont, Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

More Blog Entries:

Synthetic Marijuana Poses Serious Danger, July 19, 2016, Cannabis Law Group

According to The Washington Post, the 19-year-old recent high school graduate is preparing for college this fall. But at the same time, he’s facing down a possible federal prison sentence that could derail his future.

Bear in mind: This is the state where the drug has been legal for adult recreational use since 2014. But state law has never reconciled with federal law, which still classifies it as a Schedule I narcotic, which means it’s on par with heroin. Back in 2013, the U.S. Justice Department issued a memorandum that announced a hands-off policy with regard to state-level cannabis laws. However, that memo included a provision that directed prosecutors to continue taking on cases that involve distributing marijuana to minors. And that’s where this case picks up.

The criminal defense attorney representing the 19-year-old defendant says it started when a student at a small high school was caught with marijuana in his backpack. That student informed authorities that it was defendant who had sold it to him.

The amount was just 1 gram, enough for one typical marijuana joint, maybe two at the most.

For this, federal prosecutors filed charges against the teen for knowingly and intentionally possessing marijuana. He was not charged with sale of the drug to a minor, presumably because there wasn’t enough evidence. However, the federal charges stem from the fact that the reported possession took place at a boarding school for Native American students that is operated by the federal Bureau of Indiana Education.

Federal and state lawmakers are now weighing in, calling the prosecution’s efforts an overreach. For example, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, (D-Ore.), chastised prosecutors by asserting these types of situations were better left in the hands of the state. U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, also of Oregon, said that while he doesn’t like it that minors use marijuana, a situation like this, with federal prosecutors getting involved over a single gram of pot, is a “misallocation of resources.”

Federal prosecutors haven’t spoken about the issue, citing the ongoing investigation, but his defense attorney noted prosecutors had expected the teen to simply plead guilty and enter into a drug treatment program that would last six months. However, his lawyer announced he and his client would fight the charges.

Our California marijuana lawyers know that this decision could be risky, given the fact that a conviction could result in a maximum one-year prison stint, plus a federal criminal conviction, which could affect the teen’s ability to get a student loan, find a place to live or land a job.

Indeed, much of the harm caused to youth by marijuana comes not from the actual drug, but from the punishment meted out merely for possession of it.

It was reported last year by the federal Monitoring the Future survey that approximately one-half of U.S. high school seniors have used marijuana at some point in the past. Of those, very few are actually arrested or criminally convicted of a marijuana-related charge. Even more rare is it for them to face down federal marijuana charges.

The Los Angeles CANNABIS LAW Group represents growers, dispensaries, collectives, patients and those facing marijuana charges. Call us at 949-375-4734.

Additional Resources:

An Oregon teen is facing federal drug charges over a single gram of marijuana, Aug. 3, 2016, By Christopher Ingraham, The Washington Post

More Blog Entries:

Lt. Gov. Newsome: Campaign for Cannabis Legalization in November, July 9, 2016, California Marijuana Lawyer Blog