Chico, California, Attorney and Adviser for Marijuana Growers
Medical cannabis patients and caregivers are often uncertain about their cultivation rights. If you want to do all you can to verify that your grow is legal where you live — or if you have run into problems with law enforcement and need skilled, determined criminal defense in state or federal court, contact us at the Rooney Law Firm.
Legal Marijuana Growth Amounts Vary by City and County
While the text of Proposition 215 is extensive, and its passage has been followed by other bills and much debate, there is currently no state law that universally answers the question, "How much is legal?"
California Senate Bill 420, signed into law in 2003, set default limits of six mature plants or 12 immature plants per patient, and a limit of eight ounces of dried marijuana, but allowed for variation by local governments. Those default limits have since been challenged and ruled unconstitutional, but no one should interpret this as an elimination of grow limits or permission to "grow as much pot as you can." Doing so can result in felony marijuana cultivation charges.
Provided a personal or cooperative grow operation does not violate other aspects of the law, whether it is legal likely depends on specific ordinances passed by individual California counties and cities — such as "Chapter 34A" in Butte County, where our law offices are located. Such ordinances vary widely and cover issues such as:
- Specific quantity, weight, height and other limits governing plants, processed marijuana, seedlings and cannabis in other forms
- Whether outdoor cultivation is legal at all, how large plots can be and where they can be located
- Security, lighting, visibility and other requirements for grow operations
Helping Growers Stay Legal and Safe, Avoiding Raids, Arrests and Other Harsh Consequences
We are dedicated to staying up-to-date on specific county ordinances and policies on marijuana grow prosecution, enabling our clients to avoid raids, arrests, crop destruction, property seizures, possible jail time and other harsh consequences.
Wherever you live in Northern California or statewide, our lawyers are prepared to consult with you on which laws apply to your grow operation and how best to ensure compliance. Call or e-mail our law firm now to schedule a consultation or get proven legal help if you have been arrested or come under investigation.
Please note that our law firm handles federal marijuana-related criminal defense cases. Our attorneys are licensed to practice in any federal court.
