How To Find A Marijuana Attorney

A good marijuana lawyer in California isn’t hard to find, as long as you know where to look. You can never be too careful when it comes to legal situations, and you shouldn’t gamble with your freedom. While public defenders and generalized criminal defense firms might meet your needs, there are plenty of lawyers who specialize in this niche. Please note that residents outside of major metropolitan areas should search within the closest big city.

Longtime marijuana advocate Bruce Margolin of the The Law Offices of Bruce Margolin, Esq in Beverly Hills, certainly tops most people’s list for the best cannabis criminal defense firm in the business. Margolin’s daughter, Allison Margolin, is also a marijuana defense attorney at Margolin & Lawrence. Allison followed in her father’s footsteps, and continues the crusade against prohibition through her own practice.

MASS CANN/NORML Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If these established firms are out of your price range, there are plenty of other options available. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) provides a lengthy list of CA Attorneys who deal with cannabis related cases. Naturally, all of the attorneys listed belong to NORML. In that sense, the lawyers pay for placement on the organization’s website. Still, NORML would not compromise their outstanding reputation by listing disreputable legal resources.

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is another trusted source of legal information and referrals. ASA does not directly endorse attorneys on their website, so it’s best to contact their legal help center for in-depth assistance. Obviously, ASA is more attentive towards their members than outsiders; the same can be said with respect to NORML. Since both groups rely on donations, their services are stretched thin. You may contact ASA’s legal support program by phone at 510-251-1856 or via email at legalsupport@safeaccessnow.org. ASA should not be confused with Safe Access Now, another similar website that contains a large list of marijuana lawyers for your convenience.

Medical Marijuana Lawyers in California

Private attorneys will usually recommend that defendants obtain a medical marijuana recommendation as soon as possible. Attorneys cannot make any guarantees, but patients are more likely to have their charges dropped during court. County issued ID cards also strengthen a patient’s standing in the eyes of the law. That said, California medical marijuana patients in particular have additional online directories dedicated to their community. Medicalmarijuana.com offers an extensive list of local attorneys who defend patients’ rights. Be sure to mention your status as a legal 215 patient immediately because your case will be treated differently than that of a non-patient. For example, your attorney may be able to petition the court to have confiscated medication returned to you by the police. This is simply not an option for those without the proper paperwork.

When all else fails, consult a reputable legal directory, such as FindLaw.com. Wherever you locate an attorney, try to do some research into his or her practice before the initial consultation. Read online reviews and visit any social media profiles they maintain. This will give you a better idea of how current and former clients feel about the attorney’s service. Personal referrals are another way to find the right attorney, so don’t be afraid to ask friends and family about their own experiences. You may find it difficult to discuss sensitive issues with those you love, but there’s no substitute for this type of recommendation.