With the recent passage of Amendment 2, the law that aims to legalize medical marijuana in Florida, the state’s marijuana laws are more complex than ever. Marijuana is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance under state and federal law. The cultivation or manufacture of marijuana is considered a felony offense. Section 893.02(5) of the Florida Statutes defines cultivation as “the preparation of any soil or hydroponic medium for the planting of a controlled substance or the tending and care or harvesting of a controlled substance.”

You could face steep penalties for marijuana crimes in Florida without a strong attorney to defend your case. Attorney Brian Gabriel staunchly defends marijuana cultivation throughout Palm Beach County. If you are facing charges, it is important to act quickly to build a strong case.

Penalties for Marijuana Cultivation

Despite new legalization for medical cannabis, marijuana continues to be a Schedule I controlled substance under the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act and the federal Controlled Substances Act. The lowest level cultivation crime is a third-degree felony under §893.13(1). This means that you could receive a prison sentence of 5 years and a fine of up to $5,000 if you are convicted of manufacturing or cultivating marijuana in Florida.

Cultivation charges can be elevated to a second-degree felony under certain circumstances. If the cultivation or manufacture of marijuana occurred within 1,000 feet of the property of any of the following facilities, you could face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000:

• A child care facility
• A public or private elementary, middle, or high school/ secondary school
• A state, county, or municipal park
• A community center for the provision of recreational, social, or educational services
• A publicly-owned recreational facility
• A public or private institution of higher learning, such as a college or university
• A place of worship
• A convenience store or place of business open between 11 pm and 5 am
• A public housing facility
• An assisted living facility

In addition, penalties can escalate if you exceed a specific threshold of marijuana. If the quantities of the alleged marijuana cultivation meet any of these guidelines, you could face first-degree felony trafficking charges that implement mandatory minimum sentences.

• More than 25 pounds of marijuana but fewer than 2,000 pounds; 300 cannabis plants but fewer than 2,000 plants: mandatory minimum sentence of 3 years and a maximum $25,000 fine.
• 2,000 or more pounds of marijuana, but fewer than 10,000 pounds; 2,000 or more cannabis plants but fewer than 10,000 plants: mandatory minimum sentence of 7 years and a maximum fine of $50,000.
• 10,000 or more pounds of marijuana, or 10,000 or more cannabis plants: mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of $200,000.

Laws regarding who can and cannot grow marijuana in Florida are ever-changing. If you face a charge of marijuana cultivation in West Palm Beach, consider hiring and implementing the defense of a drug defense lawyer who is on top of these updates in the legislature.

Marijuana Cultivation Defense Lawyer

Marijuana laws in Florida are changing constantly. As the demand for medicinal cannabis soars, farmers with a license to cultivate marijuana legally are struggling to fulfill that demand. Many patients are having difficulty having their prescriptions refilled. If you are a marijuana grower in West Palm Beach facing a criminal charge, you need competent and aggressive representation.

Despite a skyrocketing population of medical marijuana patients, cultivating marijuana remains a serious crime in Florida whether you cultivate in a garden or indoor grow house. The penalties you may face, especially potential mandatory minimums for an alleged excess of marijuana plants or product, could put your future in jeopardy for a very long time. Do not hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who works on marijuana cases. Brian Gabriel has served Palm Beach County for over 25 years. He holds a favorable reputation among judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and others who might be involved in your case. Contact The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel or call 561-622-5575 for a free consultation.