Rizio and Nelson California Law Blog

When we think about marijuana’s negative connotations, we envision prison cells for drug use, selling marijuana, growing the drug, and maybe even selling or forging prescriptions for it. There rarely come visions of wildfire when we mention the phrase “marijuana problems,” but this can actually be a major concern in the state of California.

Case in point: Just this year people have been arrested for fires associated with the growth of marijuana. Whether these fires occur indoors from the lamps used to help the plants grow or outdoors, which can turn into deadly wildfires, they can be a serious hazard to the entire community. They cause death and destruction to people, animals, homes, buildings, and nature.

Some officials actually estimate that up to half of California’s indoor fires are related to the illegal growth of marijuana-a staggering statistic. There are no pesticides that can legally be sprayed or dusted on marijuana plants, and many of them are burned or lay dead in police evidence rooms every year. This presents hazards in and of itself.

In similar news, although marijuana has been legalized in California for medicinal purposes, more people are charged with illegal cultivation each year for not growing it under the auspices of the law. Now, some counties are developing plans for registering medical marijuana plants (likely by owner) with the county sheriff’s department. This would make it easier for deputies and law enforcement officials to know and recognize who should/shouldn’t be growing the plant and how much they are authorized to grow.

Marijuana dispensaries are illegal unless they have obtained a permit from the state government. Some nearby businesses complain, however, even about those that are legal, due to the smell of pot and the sheer number of people congregating to partake of the drug even for medicinal purposes.

Those who operate a dispensary without a permit do so illegally, and are subject to having the plants confiscated, hefty monetary fines, and even jail time (for drug cultivation). With California’s strict Three Strikes Laws, it is smarter than ever to hire a professional attorney if you have been arrested and charged with arson due to a drug-related fire, manslaughter, drug cultivation and/or distribution, or drug possession with/without intent to sell.

Call the Law Offices of Rizio and Nelson today to schedule your free initial consultation and begin building a solid defense for your case. We are here to meet your individual needs twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, so do not delay, call now.