Distribution of Marijuana

Even though Pennsylvania has legalized medical marijuana and Pittsburgh has relaxed enforcement for minor possession, marijuana distribution remains a serious criminal offense under state and federal law. Prosecutors aggressively pursue these cases, and a conviction can lead to harsh penalties and long-term consequences for your future.

However, being charged does not mean you will be convicted. With skilled legal representation, there are many ways to fight the charges and protect your rights. At Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC, our Pittsburgh marijuana lawyers know how cannabis laws are enforced in Pennsylvania and how to secure the best possible outcome — whether that means getting charges dismissed, reduced, or negotiating a favorable resolution.

Charged with marijuana distribution in Pittsburgh? Call us at (412) 281-2146 for a free consultation. We’ll explain your options and what comes next.

How Much Marijuana Can Get Your Arrested?

You can be arrested for distributing any amount of marijuana, even a small quantity shared among friends. The severity of your charge depends on how much marijuana is involved and whether there was intent to sell, deliver, or exchange it for money or goods.

Under Pennsylvania law, possession with intent to deliver (PWID) marijuana has an offense gravity score between 3 and 10, depending on the weight of the drugs in question. The greater the amount, the harsher the potential penalty.

Marijuana Distribution Penalties

Misdemeanor Distribution

• 30 grams or less without payment: Misdemeanor
• Penalty: Up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine

Felony Distribution

• More than 30 grams: Felony
• Penalty: Up to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine
• Aggravating factors: Prior drug convictions, distribution near schools, or sales to minors can increase penalties.

Large-Scale Trafficking

• 1,000 pounds or more: Felony
• Penalty: Up to 10 years in prison and $100,000 in fines

Repeat offenders can face doubled penalties, and distributing cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school or 250 feet of a playground carries an additional 2–4 years in prison.

The Collateral Consequences of a Marijuana Distribution Conviction

Even after serving time or paying fines, a marijuana distribution conviction can affect nearly every part of your life.

• You will have a criminal record that negatively affects your ability to get a job, join the military, obtain certain professional licenses, or be admitted to graduate school. In addition, you may be ineligible for certain types of federal student aid.
• Your driver’s license will be suspended for six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense, and two years for a third offense.
• If you share custody of your children, a marijuana conviction could be damaging to your custodial agreement with some loss of rights to see your children.

What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Marijuana Distribution

The most important step after being charged is to contact a Pittsburgh marijuana lawyer immediately. The severity of your case depends largely on the amount of marijuana involved and whether the prosecution can prove intent to distribute.

An experienced defense attorney can:

• Investigate the circumstances of your arrest
• Challenge unlawful police actions
• Negotiate for reduced charges or diversion programs
• Fight for your acquittal at trial

These are serious charges with the potential to alter your life. Don’t face them alone, get experienced legal help right away.

How Worgul, Sarna & Ness Can Help

Our team has a lot of experience in marijuana distribution cases in and around Allegheny County and a successful track record of helping our clients find the best possible solution. Our first strategy will be to try and have the charges dropped or reduced. This is particularly important if we can have a felony lowered to a misdemeanor and greatly reduce the potential penalties you would suffer upon conviction.

If the prosecution decides to move forward with charges, we will review your various options, including negotiating a plea, seeking entrance into a diversion program, and fighting for an acquittal at trial.

There are a number of defenses we may be able to use in a marijuana distribution case, including:

• Was your initial stop and/or arrest legal
• Were you subject to an unlawful search or seizure
• Was the evidence against you unlawfully obtained
• Whether you were actually in possession of drugs
• Prosecution’s lack of sufficient evidence
• The actual weight of the drugs