Cannabis use is legal in the state of California, but it remains a controlled substance. As a result, you could still face charges if you aren’t careful, so you should know the laws surrounding its possession and consumption.
Notably, you could find yourself in trouble if you drive while under the influence of cannabis, exceed the personal possession limits, or attempt to sell a marijuana product in Orange County. Cannabis also known as weed, pot, dope, grass, bud, reefer, herb, and Mary Jane is now legal to use in the State of California and can be purchased for recreational use, however you should familiarize yourself on the laws regarding use, possession and distribution because there are still many ways to that you can end up in jail.
Understanding these laws ensures you don’t end up in trouble to the point you need a bail bond to get yourself out of jail. Here’s a look at Orange County’s cannabis laws in California and the charges you could potentially face for breaking them.
DUI For Cannabis
The laws surrounding driving under the influence of cannabis in California are incredibly vague. Unlike alcohol DUI, there’s no legal limit for driving under the influence of cannabis, as the law simply states you can’t drive while impaired by marijuana.
However, with no legal limit nor scientific evidence to back it up, California handles every cannabis DUI charge on a case-by-case basis. The gist is that you can face charges if you were driving erratically, and a blood test determines you had cannabis in your system, whether the drug was actually impairing your judgment or not.
As a result, you could end up in trouble with the law without even being under the influence, so DUI for cannabis is becoming more common as the substance increases in popularity.
If you find yourself with a DUI charge, you’ll face the same penalties you would while driving under the influence of alcohol. Your first three charges will be misdemeanors with fines, license suspensions, probation, and potential jail time.
Once you have a fourth conviction, it’s an automatic felony that starts with a mandatory year in federal prison. While these penalties don’t seem fair for something that can’t be proven, it’s where California law currently sits, so you’ll need to be careful when driving in the state.
Personal Possession Limits
Another reason you could face charges is by exceeding California’s personal marijuana possession limits. In short, you can only carry a certain amount of marijuana on your person at any given time. If you exceed those limits, you could be charged.
Currently, you can possess up to 28.5g of marijuana flower products as long as you are at least 21. If you have more than 28.5g on your person and are arrested, you could face up to six months in jail and receive a $500 fine. You could also face ten days in prison if you have cannabis on school grounds, no matter the amount.
Of course, court appearances will be necessary if police find you with more than the legal amount of marijuana at any time, so it’s best to stay within those limits to avoid penalties.
Cannabis Sales
Cannabis sales are not permitted in Orange County except in the city of Santa Ana. There aren’t any legal storefronts or dispensaries in other cities in the county, so you can’t legally buy marijuana here.
However, buying cannabis at a state-approved retailer in another county and bringing it to your home is perfectly acceptable as long as you stay within the legal possession limits.
It’s worth noting that you can’t sell marijuana in Orange County at any time. Possession with intent to distribute starts with a six-month jail term and a $500 fine, escalating from there. It’s best to do everything possible to stay out of trouble with the law by only purchasing what you intend to use yourself and not exceeding any legal limitations in the state.
How to Receive Bail After a Cannabis Charge
If you’re arrested for a cannabis-related DUI or possession charge, you might have to stay in jail awaiting your court appearance. While this might not be necessary for a first offense, things tend to get worse if you have subsequent arrests, and you might need bail to gain your release while waiting for the courts.
In this scenario, Orange County Bail Bonds is here to help. We understand that California’s cannabis laws are confusing, so we allow you to get your life back on track. We provide service at all Orange County’s jails, helping you gain freedom quickly. Contact us to start the process today.