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Marijuana Sales

Marijuana Sales Law in California – Health and Safety Code 11360

It's widely known that possession of marijuana by adults was mostly legalized by voters in California under Proposition 64.

Marijuana Sales Law in California - Health and Safety Code 11360
HS 11360 makes it a crime in California to sell, give away, import, or transport for sale, any amount of marijuana.

However, many people are unaware about the exceptions to legalization. There is still a significant type of behavior related to marijuana that could result in getting prosecuted in a criminal court.

Unlawful marijuana sales are defined under California Health and Safety Code Section 11360, which makes it crime to:

  • sell marijuana;
  • give away marijuana;
  • import marijuana into California;
  • transport for sale any amount of marijuana.

It also includes marijuana concentrates such as hash oil and edible forms of marijuana like brownies, gummies, etc.

In simple terms, even though marijuana possession has been largely legalized, if you are distributing marijuana, you can still face criminal prosecution.

Health and Safety Code 11360 prohibits marijuana sales, but there is a difference between possession for sales of marijuana and actually selling it.

HS 11360 marijuana sales as a felony case

It should be noted that most HS 11360 cases are filed as a misdemeanor offense. However, this drug crime could be filed as a felony and carry a sentence of up to four years in a county jail.

If the sales involved a minor under 18 years old, the penalties could include up to seven years in a California state prison.

To help you better understand the California laws on marijuana sales, our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys are providing a review below.

What Must Be Proven for a HS 11360 Marijuana Sales Conviction?

What Must Be Proven for a HS 11360 Marijuana Sales Conviction?
The prosecutor must prove several different factors In order to convict you of violating HS 11360 selling marijuana.

California Health and Safety Code 11360 defines the crime of sale or transport of marijuana:

  • “Anyone who transports, imports, sells, furnishes, administers, or gives away, or offers to do the same, or attempts to import into this state or transport any cannabis.”

In order for the prosecutor to convict you of violating Health and Safety Code 11360, sale or transportation of marijuana, they have to prove several factors. These factors are commonly known as the “elements of the crime” that include:

  • You sold, furnished, imported, transported, or gave away marijuana;
  • You knew of its presence and nature as a controlled substance.

For additional information, see CALCRIM 2361, transport or give away marijuana more than 28.5 grams.

What are the Penalties for HS 11360 Marijuana Sales Conviction?

As stated, after Proposition 64 passed, most Health and Safety Code Section 11360 marijuana sales cases without a license are handled as misdemeanors carrying the following penalties:

  • A maximum of six months in a county jail;
  • A $500 fine, or both the fine and jail.

There are still, however, some common situations where HS 11360 will be filed as a felony offense. These include if the defendant:

  • Has at least two prior convictions for marijuana sales or transportation;
  • Imported into California or exported over 28.5 grams of marijuana, or over 4 grams of concentrated cannabis, such as hash;
  • Sold, or attempted to sell to minors under the age of 18;
  • Has prior convictions for specific serious felony crimes such as murder, rape, child molestation, or other sexual-related offense requiring sex offender registration under Penal Code Section 290.

HS 1160 felony marijuana sales conviction

A felony conviction for violating Health and Safety Code Section 11360, sell or transport marijuana, carries the following penalties:

  • Two, three, or four years in a California state prison;
  • A fine up to $10,000.

Additionally, a felony conviction will result in a lifetime ban against owning a firearm. Defendants are not eligible for a drug diversion program as a jail alternative.

What are the Related California Offenses for HS 11360?

  • Health and Safety Code 11357 HS – possession of marijuana
  • Health and Safety Code 11358 HS – cultivation of marijuana
  • Health and Safety Code 11359 HS – possession of marijuana for sale
  • Health and Safety Code 11361 HS – selling marijuana to a minor
  • Health and Safety Code 11366 HS – operating a drug house

How Can I Fight HS 11360 Marijuana Sales Charges?

If you were accused of misdemeanor or felony marijuana sales in violation of HS 11360, our Los Angeles criminal lawyers can use a variety of defenses.

How Can I Fight HS 11360 Marijuana Sales Charges?
If you were charged with unlawful marijuana sales or transportation, our criminal lawyers can use a variety of defenses.

There are a few that are quite unique to marijuana offenses since the partially legal status of marijuana use and the medical marijuana market that is prevalent in the state of California.

For example, we might be able to prove you are a permitted caregiver that is allowed under state law to possess marijuana for sale to qualified patients.

Possession of marijuana for personal use only

Another potential defense against the transport or sell of marijuana include an argument of personal use rather than possessing or transporting for sale.

Adults over 21 are legally permitted to use marijuana without a permit or prescription.

The prosecutor has to prove the HS 11360 case by showing evidence of sales, such as a large quantity of marijuana, possessing a large amount of cash, and common drug sales paraphernalia like baggies and scales.

Illegal search and seizure

Another defense for violating health and Safety Code 11360 include an argument of illegal searches and seizure. Under state and federal law, you have the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure by law enforcement of their person or property.

If the marijuana was seized by the police without a valid search warrant, the prosecution must be able to establish one of the recognized exceptions to the warrant requirement.

Motion to suppress evidence – Penal Code 1538.5 PC

We might be able to litigate a California Penal Code 1538.5 motion to suppress based on the warrantless search. If successfully, the case will likely be dismissed by the prosecutor.

A motion to suppress evidence can be filed when it's believed the evidence was unlawfully taken from your person or property unlawfully.  There are several legal grounds for bringing a successful PC 1538.5 motion to suppress evidence.

If the motion to suppress evidence is successful, them the court agrees the illegally seized evidence will not be able to be used against you in court. This will typically result in the criminal charges against you being dropped.

Contact Cron, Israels & Stark for Help with a Marijuana Sales Case

Contact Cron, Israels & Stark for Help with Marijuana Sales Case
Contact Cron, Israels & Stark if you were charged with HS 11360 marijuana sales.

If you or a family member was accused of unlawful marijuana sales in violation of California Health and Safety Code 11360, call our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys for an initial consultation.

We will review the details of your case and discuss the next steps in your defense.

This includes prefiling intervention where we might be able to prevent the formal filing of criminal charges before going to court.

Cron, Israels & Stark is a criminal defense law firm located at 11755 Wilshire Blvd, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025. We also have an office at 401 Wilshire Blvd #1200, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Contact our office for a free case consultation at (424) 372-3112.

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