Habla Español • Available 24/7/365 • Help With Bail Bonds

(949) 622-5522
(949) 622-5522
En Español
Schedule Consultation

Possession of Concentrated Cannabis/Hashish Defense – HS 11357(a)

Available 24/7/365
See All Criminal Defense Practice Areas

As Seen In

10 News First
CNN
Court TV
Forbes
Huff Post Live Alt
Huff Post Live
KTLA

Possession of Concentrated Cannabis/Hashish Defense – HS 11357(a)

Summary: This page covers WHAT IS THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF CONCENTRATED MARIJUANA/CANNABIS?, PROSECUTION MUST PROVE*:.

Concentrated cannabis means the separated resin, whether crude or purified, obtained from marijuana. Health & Safety Code, Section 11006.5

In 2011, California decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use by reducing the criminal charge from a misdemeanor to an infraction. However, penalties for possession of any amount of concentrated marijuana, such as hashish, are still serious.

Except as authorized by law, every person who possesses any concentrated cannabis shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one year or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by both such fine and imprisonment, or shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code. Health and Safety Code, Section 11357 (a)

Prosecutors have the option of filing a concentrated marijuana case as a misdemeanor or felony (also known less formally as a “wobbler”), depending on the circumstances and an individual’s criminal history. These are known as aggravating circumstances. Prosecutors come to this decision by considering the method used to create the hashish or other type of concentrated cannabis. Unauthorized processing of marijuana into concentrated form without the use of chemicals is punishable by up to three years imprisonment. If manufactured with the use of chemicals, it’s punishable by up to seven years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $50,000. In either case, a person being investigated for, or who is charged with, should seek legal representation to avoid a potentially worse outcome.

Except as otherwise provided by law, every person who manufactures, compounds, converts, produces, derives, processes, or prepares, either directly or indirectly by chemical extraction or independently by means of chemical synthesis, any controlled substance specified in Section 11054, 11055, 11056, 11057, or 11058 shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code for three, five, or seven years and by a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000). Health and Safety Code, Section 11379.6(a)

PROSECUTION MUST PROVE*:

  • Unlawful possession.
  • Knowledge of possession.
  • Knowledge of nature or character of the substance.
  • The amount of the substance was useable.

Defenses to possession of hashish/concentrated cannabis may include lawful possession with a medical marijuana recommendation.

There are viable defenses to these allegations. For one, perhaps the hashish belonged to another person. Depending on how the concentrated marijuana was manufactured, the prosecution may have a lengthy testing process to arrive at the conclusion that it was made using chemicals. If so, the more tests that must occur can often result in laboratory error. Another problem with lengthy testing procedures is maintaining an accurate chain of custody record. Often, if the District Attorney is unable to show that the substance which allegedly tested positive as chemically manufactured was not properly transferred from the arresting officer to the lab, it cannot be used as evidence.

Contact Ms. Johnson-Norris today if you are charged with possession of concentrated cannabis to protect your rights.

Get A Criminal Defense Consultation Now

Do you already have a court date?*
Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Recover Your Future with a Commanding Legal Defense

Immediate Action to Restore Control

Neutralize threats & prevent escalation with a firm that begins active case management as soon as you retain us

24/7 Access to Elite Legal Counsel

Connect with a member of our team at any time to begin addressing your legal challenges swiftly and decisively

Resolve Uncertainty with Clear Guidance

Reduce stress and uncertainty through honest, candid assessments and a clear, strategic path to resolution

Fierce Representation for Urgent Situations

Secure lasting stability for you or your loved one through an aggressive defense and diligent case preparation

Contact Us 24/7/365

Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

Read More Case Results

Hear From Our Clients

Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience

Thank you, Ms. Johnson-Norris, for your help and support in a very scary, bad time in my life! You were a ray of sunshine in a very dark place. I didn’t have to step foot in a courtroom once; Ms. Johnson-Norris was there for me. Always kept me up to date and informed of the progress of my case, was able to work out a very good deal with the courts. If you need a great attorney that will work for you and with you, then I would highly recommend you hire Lauren Johnson-Norris!

J.B., a criminal client

Ms. Johnson-Norris was very effective in dealing with a juvenile criminal charge, getting it routed to a diversion program, minimizing court appearances, and being supportive to both my son and me.

Keith, a Juvenile client

Lauren Johnson-Norris changed my life and my family’s in September 2014. I was a troubled young girl with some convictions on my record from my early adult life. I have grown older and changed my life but my past kept rearing its ugly head. I started researching expungement and found Ms. Johnson-Norris, and I am so glad I did. She treated me like a person and as I told her about myself she really engaged in my situation and I felt I was not some number to her but a real person. She expunged two felonies I had. One of them the courts did not want to expunge, but Ms. Johnson-Norris would not take no for an answer and fought for me! She always kept me posted on what was going on. I believe God led me to her. She is very talented and knows what she is doing. She is extremely professional and is not only after your money. She has a heart under her tough Lawyer position that she does so well. She cleared my record and gave me hope for my future, my husband’s and my son! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER. If you had a rough past and are trying to change your life. Go see Ms. Johnson-Norris; she knows what she is doing.

A.M., a criminal client

I want to thank Ms. Johnson-Norris, especially, for all her help during this difficult time. When we could not see the end of the tunnel, she helped us and guided us through the exit. Thank her not only for her professional help but for her emotional and sympathetic support. God bless her.

Parent of a juvenile crime client

I really appreciate everything she has done for me; I cannot thank her enough! Ms. Johnson-Norris did an absolutely thorough job by answering any and all questions that I had. She called me with updates and preferences on how I should be handling the case, which made the whole process very reassuring. The staff was very up to date with all of the follow-up information that was involved with my case that was also extremely beneficial. Ms. Johnson-Norris had a very reassuring aspect about her that made it very easy to let her handle the case. If anything were to go wrong with anyone I am associated with, she will be the lawyer of choice. I really appreciate everything that she has done for me, I can not thank her enough!

Mr. D., a criminal defense client

Read more Testimonials

Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

.

Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

Habla Español • Available 24/7/365 Help With Bail Bonds

Schedule A Consultation
(949) 622-5522