Marijuana Possession Defense Lawyers in California

FREE CONSULTATION

Please fill out the form and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

Affordable Rates

Payment Plans

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys: Marijuana/Opioid and Prescription Drug Defense

We Help People Accused of Crimes Related to the Possession or Sale of Marijuana and Prescription Drugs

We are living through a time of significant social changes, and our drug laws reflect many of those changes. Over the years and after much experience, we have come to a better understanding of the effects of various drugs, the potential health risks, and the severity of addiction on a large scale. California, as is often the case, is leading the nation with new, innovative drug policies in response to changing attitudes and new challenges. For example, California’s marijuana laws reflect a growing belief that marijuana should be decriminalized. Another example is California’s efforts to curb prescription opioid abuse in order to fight the opioid addiction epidemic. Accordingly, it’s important to understand these changes in the law and how they affect you.

If you’re facing drug charges related to marijuana or prescription opioids, you need to contact a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Criminal charges are always serious and can include heavy fines and significant jail time. In addition, a conviction on your record could have a significant impact on your professional and personal future. The California criminal defense lawyers at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley are here to protect your rights and get the result you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 800-755-5174 or contact us online.

Legalization of Marijuana

Up until recently, you could only buy marijuana from medical dispensaries with a prescription. Proposition 64 has changed that. Effective January 1, 2018, California legalized the sale and recreational use of marijuana. Adults over the age of 21 can now possess up to one ounce of dried marijuana or eight ounces of concentrated cannabis (also known as hash). You can purchase marijuana only at a licensed shop and can only be sold to people over the age of 21 with a valid government ID.

Growing Marijuana at Home

Californians who are 21 or older are allowed to grow up to six marijuana plants per household (not per person), and the plants must be kept out of public view.

Federal Law and Testing

Despite these changes to California law, marijuana remains illegal as Schedule 1 controlled substance under Federal law. In addition, employers can still test for marijuana use and choose not to hire employees who consume marijuana. To learn more about the intersection between federal and state law and how it can affect you, you should speak to a California criminal defense attorney.

Fighting Prescription Opioid Abuse

For many opioid addicts, their first steps to addiction began with drugs prescribed by their doctor. Because doctors weren’t fully aware of the potential danger, prescription opioids were commonly prescribed even when less powerful drugs would have been sufficient. As a result of education and new restrictions, physicians have reduced the number of opioid painkillers being subscribed to their patients. However, the danger remains, even in cases where the prescription is appropriate.

Assembly member Evan Low from San Jose has recently proposed legislation to help curb the abuse of prescription. The bill is aimed at bolstering the information available to doctors regarding who they are prescribing opioids to and whether they have been “doctor shopping.” By identifying the problem early, the hope is that patients can be saved before they are in the grips of full-blown addiction.

Meanwhile, the Director of the California Public Health Department ordered that the overdose antidote Naloxone be available without a prescription. Lawmakers in California have also considered a tax on prescription opioids in order to fund efforts to contain the crisis.

You Can Still Be Charged with A Crime

Despite the relaxed laws pertaining to marijuana and the sensible measures in place to deal with prescription opioid abuse, you can still be charged with a crime in connection with both of these drugs. It’s critical to understand the law, and if you’re already facing charges, you need an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer today to protect your legal rights.

Driving Under the Influence

For both prescription drugs and marijuana, it is against the law in California to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence. In other words, you cannot be driving a car while impaired, which means that you are unable to operate the vehicle in the same way that you could while sober. Even if you have legally purchased and used marijuana, it is still illegal to drive while under the influence. Similarly, even if you have a valid prescription for an opioid such as OxyContin, you could be charged with DUI if it impairs your ability to drive.

As a side note, it is also against the law to consume marijuana while driving. Using marijuana while sitting in a parked car could potentially lead to drug charges.

Limits on the Use and Purchase of Marijuana

As mentioned above, the purchase, possession, and use of marijuana come with restrictions. Here are some common examples of marijuana use that are in violation of current law:

Selling marijuana to your friends – you cannot sell marijuana without a license to do so.
Using marijuana in public – consumption is limited to your home or private property.
Possession of more than the amount permitted by law.
Possession by anyone under the age of 21.

Failure to abide by these restrictions could result in arrest and criminal charges.

Crimes Related to Prescription Opioids

We’ve already discussed how you can be found guilty of DUI if you are driving under the influence of a legally prescribed medication. However, you should also be aware that all prescription medications are considered “controlled substances,” and are therefore illegal to possess without a valid prescription. Similarly, it is illegal to sell or transport for sale any prescription drugs without the proper license. This includes prescription opioids.

In addition to the standard drug charges, California Health and Safety Code Section 11173 makes it illegal to engage in prescription drug fraud. This includes any attempt to purchase or obtain prescription drugs by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. This section covers actions like forging a doctor’s signature, falsifying medical records, or holding yourself out to be a doctor or other medical professional in order to obtain prescription drugs without a license.

Potential Penalties

Under California law, first-time drug possession charges are often a misdemeanor. That said, even a misdemeanor can carry jail time and fines. DUI charges can be even more serious, and subsequent convictions can bring harsher penalties. If you are charged with the sale of these drugs, you could face multiple years in prison. In addition, it could result in damage to your reputation, loss of employment, and stress on your family.

Contact a Los Angeles Drug Charges Attorney Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

The changing landscape with respect to marijuana laws and the opioid epidemic has created a lot of confusion and uncertainty. People who believe they are using their marijuana legally may be inadvertently breaking the law, and wind up with criminal charges filed against them. Meanwhile, prescription opioid users are winding up in the criminal justice system instead of focusing on their health and recovery.

If you or a loved one is facing charges related to marijuana or prescription opioids, you need a lawyer who understands your case, can help you understand your options, and can help you get through this difficult time in your life. The California criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of David S. Chesley have over 50 years of courtroom experience and bring their clients aggressive, high-quality representation. Call us at 800-755-5174 or email us today if you would like a free consultation.

Our client faced multiple serious charges in Los Angeles County, including Penal Code § 211 (Robbery), § 245(a)(1) (Assault with a Deadly Weapon), and § 245(a)(4) (Assault with Force Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury). Unlike a co-defendant represented by another firm who pled to a felony conviction with a "strike," our legal team pursued a different strategy. Through the submission of a comprehensive mitigation package to the District Attorney, we successfully negotiated a complete dismissal of all charges.
Our client faced serious charges under Penal Code section 211 for alleged felony robbery involving force and fear in Riverside County (Murrieta Court) . The prosecution argued that probation was not appropriate due to our client’s prior felony convictions in San Bernardino County, including a previous robbery in April 2021 and grand theft in November 2019. Despite the severity of these allegations, our legal team successfully demonstrated insufficient evidence during the preliminary hearing. As a result, all charges were dismissed. This outcome allowed our client to move forward without the burden of a new conviction.
Multiple defendants each facing 7 years charged with smuggling prescription drugs into California from Mexico our client was the only defendant who received NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 5 years for possession of deadly weapon we negotiated a plea for NO JAIL TIME!
Client facing 3 life terms for multiple felony counts of Child Molestation and Sodomy with child we proved the charges were fabricated by victims mother DISMISSAL of all charges at preliminary hearing!
Strike case: Client charged with possession of methamphetamine facing 25 years we filed a Romero Motion which was granted case REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR!
Client's estranged girlfriend alleged Client broke into her room and choked her facing 14 years in State Prison we won at trial JURY ACQUITTAL.
Police allegedly discovered 3 bags of marijuana in client's glove box faced 6 years we filed a 1538.5 motion to suppress resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges!

What our clients say Client Testimonials

I am truly pleased with my experience with the Law Offices Of David S Chesley. They answered all my questions and provided me with great advice and legal services. My case resolved quickly. Thank you!
Rodrigo L.

I left court yesterday with my last case being wrapped up. Two court appearances and that’s it. He represented me in a couple of different cases and was impressive to say the least. Always a phone call or text message away. Confident and aggressive when he needed to be. Calming and thorough when meeting with me. Attorney Chesley did exactly what he said he would and I got the results I needed. He seemed to know all the right people at the Temple Street courthouse. You can always get in contact with him quickly and he is a great lawyer. I highly recommend his legal services.
Ricardo Esteves

My brother was given a very caring attorney that was assigned to his case and we had very helpful case managers throughout the process. I strongly recommend David Chesley to anyone who is in trouble. I called in to get help on my brothers case and right away I liked their service. My brothers charges were eventually dismissed after the attorney got him into a program, now he could go on without the trouble of having anything on his record
Erica Geller

I retained Mr. Chesley and his firm and from the beginning they were extremely professional both in communicating the status of my case to me, explaining the situation as a whole, and just downright taking care of business. It was money well spent for a job well done. Thanks again to David and Melissa others that worked on my case. I recommend this firm to anyone in need of legal representation. Don’t just accept things the courts force on you, call this firm and protect yourself.
Elizabeth F.

I contacted Mr. Chesley and his firm because some unfortunate events had left me in a jam. Detectives were demanding I testify or be prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit. (I wasn’t involved or even at the scene of the alleged crime when it supposedly took place.) Mr. Chesley explained to me that he had been through similar situations with his clients before and understood exactly what was going on. His response to what took place was nothing short of amazing. No matter how small my concern, Mr. Chesley addressed it in a timely manner. He advocated for what is right and empathized with me in dealing with the Court system. After meeting with the supervising D.A. and providing alibi evidence he was able to get me out the situation. I’m very grateful to have found him.
Leon Hanley

I hired David Chesley for my criminal defense in 2012. he was recommended to us for is success results and his low fees. David is very smart and his professional legal advice was honest & much appreciated during these stressful time. David’s knowledge, advice, and communication about what we were to expect was reassuring and beneficial to me. He charged me a reasonable flat rate and didn’t charge me any surprise fees. In my case David Chesley was able to negotiate with the prosecution attorney for the best result I could hope for. He had success at getting my criminal charges dismissed with the judges approval. You will not be disappointed if you hire The Law Offices of David S. Chesley.
Britanny Givens

David is very professional, yet very casual. Although it is typically not easy to speak straight up with an attorney, he is very easy to talk to. He replied to my questions quickly and was available all hours. Not only did he get my case resolved with a dismissal, he went above and beyond and got me an expungement without me even requesting it. He never beats around the bush and tells you like it is. At the same time is willing to work overtime to get the results you request. I would use David’s services again in the future.
Andrew A.

very satisfied being a client with the Law Offices of David Chesley.. Negin represented both my husband and I and got both our cases dis issued… Negin was on top of our cases she really cares and did everything she said she would do!!! thanks a lot Negin
Rita K.

I don’t write many reviews, however this time I had to share my admiration and appreciation for this firm. Attorney Negin Akhavan is definitely a person you want representing you in any criminal legal battle. She is the clear definition of the frace “is not what you know, but who you know ” she is not only knowledgeable, she also has the relationships with the right people. I couldn’t be happier with the results she was able to provide.

Thank you Negin.
Gabriel V.

An old felony charge came up, so I hired David and his team in June, and he got me a release on my own cognition on a felony charge in July which has never happened to me, and got it dismissed in October. He was responsive when I called and always kept me updated. Got my case dismissed, was easy to work and handled everything for me. He did an excellent job. I highly recommend David Chesley for any criminal defense.
Jason Corona

They really helped me out in a timely manner. I had a drug charge from 16 years ago and they dealt with it quickly. I can’t recommend them enough. If you have a criminal charges check them out they are awesome.
Santiago L.