Penalties for Underage Marijuana Possession

On December 6th, 2012, the state of Washington legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Since that time, hundreds of marijuana shops have grown throughout the state. Despite the legalization of marijuana, Washington has declared it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess marijuana.

Those in possession of marijuana while underage are subject to penalties and may receive a drug crime charge. Underage drug crimes are considered a misdemeanor in the state of Washington.

A misdemeanor in Washington is punishable by:

• Up to 90 days in county jail
• Fine of up to $1,000.

Therefore, anyone under the age of twenty one could face jail time for marijuana possession. This is why it's crucial to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who can fight for your case.

If you have been charged with a DUI related to marijuana, Schedule a free case review now!

Underage Distribution of Marijuana

If a person attempts to sell or distribute marijuana to someone under the age of eighteen, he or she will face severe consequences. The sale or delivery of marijuana to someone under the age of eighteen will be guilty of a class C felony.

A Class C felony is punishable by:

• Up to 5 years in a State Correctional Facility
• A fine of up to $10,000.

As you can see, the distribution and sale of marijuana to an underage person is much more severe than the underage possession. If you are a loved one has been charged with distribution to a minor, contact our firm today.

Marijuana DUI Charges

Similar to a legal blood alcohol limit in a DUI charge, there is a legal THC limit in regards to marijuana consumption. The legal THC limit allowed in a driver's blood is 5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood. This limit is much lower than the legal BAC limit making it much easier to be in violation.

Penalties for a marijuana DUI charge are:

• Court-ordered fines
• Legal fees
• Up to 90 days in jail for a first offense
• Home monitoring

Fighting for Your Underage Marijuana Possession Case

If your son or daughter is charged with the possession or sale of marijuana, hiring a criminal defense attorney should be your next step. If you have Mark Garka on your side, he can lower the penalties of a successful conviction, or fight for a not-guilty verdict.

Contact our firm for a free consultation for your marijuana case!