Phoenix Marijuana Possession Defense Lawyer

In Arizona, possession of marijuana is a lower level felony offense. If you do not have a prior criminal history of drug crimes, you may qualify for a diversion program such as TASC. On the other hand, possession for sale is a heavier offense with more severe penalties. If you are convicted, you may face a mandatory prison term of three to twelve and a half years in the Arizona Department of Corrections. It is vital that you have the right Phoenix drug crime attorney on your side.

Deferred Prosecution Programs for First-Time Offenders

First-time drug offenders who are arrested with a small amount of marijuana are typically eligible to participate in an adult deferred prosecution program. If your record is clean, meaning you have not been convicted of a prior drug offense, we can usually work with the court to have the drug charges against you dropped once you complete a Treatment Assessment Screening Center (TASC) program. The TASC will typically recommend that the charges against you be dropped.

Penalties for Marijuana Possession, Cultivation & Sale

In Arizona, consequences related to marijuana can be broken down into penalties for possession, cultivation, possession for sale, and sale or delivery for sale. In federal cases, sentencing can be more complicated depending on whether conspiracy, fraud, or money laundering charges are entered against a defendant as well. Penalties include the following:

• Marijuana possession –
  • Under 2 pounds: 6 to 18 months in jail or prison; a fine between $750 and $150,000
  • 2 to 4 pounds: 9 to 24 months in jail or prison; a fine between $750 to $150,000
  • More than 4 pounds: 18 months to 3 years in prison; $750 to $150,000
• Marijuana cultivation –
  • Under 2 pounds: 9 to 24 months in jail or prison; a fine between $750 and $150,000
  • 2 to 4 pounds: 18 months to 3 years in prison; a fine between $750 to $150,000
  • More than 4 pounds: 2.5 to 7 years in prison; $750 to $150,000
• Marijuana possession with intent to distribute –
  • Under 2 pounds: 18 months to 3 years in prison; a fine between $750 and $150,000
  • 2 to 4 pounds: 2.5 to 7 years in prison; a fine between $750 to $150,000
  • More than 4 pounds: 4 to 10 years in prison; $750 to $150,000
• Sale of marijuana –
  • Under 2 pounds: 2.5 to 7 years in prison; a fine between $750 and $150,000
  • 2 pounds or more: 4 to 10 years in prison; a fine between $750 to $150,000

Former State & Federal Prosecutor on Your Side

Our founding attorney, Richard Suzuki, was both a state and federal prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office. He gained invaluable experience of how prosecutors build their cases and convict drug offenders.

Our firm acts quickly to weaken the government’s case while working to secure the most favorable outcome. We have the experience to fight the charges against you. If you’ve been arrested for selling or possessing marijuana, contact our Phoenix drug possession lawyers at Suzuki Law Offices today and schedule a free, no-risk consultation.

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What to Do After an Arrest – Call Us for a FREE Case Evaluation

If you were arrested for a marijuana-related Phoenix drug offense, speak with a Phoenix drug crime lawyer from Suzuki Law Offices today. We offer free case evaluations to help our clients understand their rights and options. To learn more, call our office now to schedule your first meeting. You can also reach us online through our free consultation form.