Recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois. However, you have to be 21 and only possess a certain amount. There are still marijuana laws that can lead to arrest and prosecution. If you need a strong criminal defense, contact our drug lawyer Joliet Illinois. Our attorneys at The MacNeil Firm have the experience and passion to provide you with a rigorous defense. Call today at (708) 218-0947 or (708) 218-0947.
There are ways that a knowledgeable and diligent lawyer can help you avoid harsh penalties. There are some common cannabis crimes in Illinois and there are ways they can be defended.
Possession with Intent to Deliver
Intent to deliver means that the person had any amount of a drug that was intended for sale or distribution. If the actual sale or distribution of the controlled substance does occur, the offense is usually charged as delivery of a controlled substance.
Typically this is charged when there is evidence that the drugs were ready to be distributed to others. For example, if the marjuana was divided into pre-weighed, individual packages, that can be used as evidence. If a scale was found with the marijuana, that can also be used to determine intent.
Penalties for possession with intent to deliver can vary depending on the quantity of the drug you have in your possession. There can be fines and jail time. If you have previously been convicted with a similar drug offense, the penalties will be greater.
In order to be convicted of this offense you must knowingly possess cannabis with intent to sell it and the amount of marijuana possessed was more than 30 grams. If you have been charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, contact our drug lawyer Joliet Illinois today for a free consultation.
Distribute Marijuana to a Minor
Adults who are caught selling drugs to minors face twice the amount of jail time than if they sold to another adult. Recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois, but not for those under 21 years old.
Selling marijuana to a minor younger than 18 can trigger double penalties, such as jail time and fines. This applies when the seller is older than 18, and at least three years older than the minor. Additional penalties occur when marijuana is sold in a school zone or if you’ve been charged with the crime before.
Manufacturing or Cultivation of Cannabis
In 2020, when The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act took effect in Illinois, it set quantities and penalties for the manufacturing and cultivation of marijuana. Legally a person is allowed to grow 5 plants for recreational or medicinal purposes.
However, if you posses more than 5 plants you can be charged with a felony and face fines and jail time. The length of the sentence can range from 1-15 years depending on the quantity you are cultivating. In addition, fines can range from $25,000-$100,000 as well.
An experienced drug lawyer Joliet Illinois will do a thorough investigation of your case and determine the best legal course of action for you. Contact The MacNeil Firm today for a consultation.
Possession of Cannabis
The law provides that a person who is 21 years of age or older can legally possess up to 30 grams of cannabis. Typically the penalties for possession of 30 – 100 grams of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense. It is punishable by a maximum sentence of 1 year in prison and a maximum fine of $2,500.
A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony punishable by a minimum sentence of 1 year and a maximum sentence of 3 years as well as a maximum fine of $25,000. There are also penalties for possession and sale of paraphernalia and hash and concentrates.
Our drug lawyer Joliet Illinois will help fight your marijuana charges
You need to be represented by an experienced drug lawyer Joliet Illinois for a marijuana charge. You don’t have to go it alone, and there are many benefits of hiring one. Our attorneys have helped numerous clients get outcomes for their cases that protected their reputations and their futures.
There are many defenses available for marijuana-related charges and we can help you find the one that will work best for your case. Contact us today.