With medical marijuana sweeping the nation, and even recreational marijuana becoming legal in our neighboring state Colorado, it is understandable that some people may be confused about the current state of marijuana laws in Oklahoma. Making matters more confusing is that, in many states, there is a distinction between possessing and distributing marijuana, and a further distinction for growing your own marijuana plants, whether pursuant to a doctor’s prescription to not. All of this leads some to ask whether they can get arrested for growing marijuana for their own use in Oklahoma. The short answer is yes, and that you can even face a life sentence in prison if convicted.
Oklahoma’s Marijuana Laws Are Among the Toughest in the Nation
Merle Haggard once had a number one country song claiming “I’m Proud to Be an Okie From Muskogee” in which the opening line proclaimed, “We don’t smoke marijuana in Muskogee.” In the 47 years since that song was release, Oklahoma’s strict attitude towards marijuana has not changed very much. The same marijuana that is freely bought, sold, and taxed over the border in Colorado can result in not only convictions in Oklahoma but lengthy prison sentences.
For simple possession of marijuana, the first offense is a misdemeanor that can get you up to a year in prison, and a second possession for marijuana is a felony with a sentence of between 2 and 10 years in prison. Sale of any amount of marijuana in Oklahoma is a felony with a minimum prison sentence of 2 years and that can go all the way up life in prison for even a small amount.
When it comes to cultivation, or growing your own marijuana plants for either yourself or others, the penalties are just as strict. Like the rules for distribution, cultivating marijuana plants of any amount in Oklahoma can get you a $25,000 fine and anywhere between 2 years to life in prison.
Get the Best Defense Possible in Your Oklahoma Marijuana Case
Courts in Oklahoma are not in the habit of handing down the maximum penalties in marijuana cases, but people still go to Oklahoma jails for marijuana all the time, serving multi-year sentences and damaging their futures. You can fight your case, however, and it is in your interest to mount the best possible defense against criminal prosecution on your marijuana charge. Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney Patrick Quillian has extensive experience defending those charged with marijuana crimes, and will fight to obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
