Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. According to the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA), more than 83 million people in the United States (37 percent) age 12 or older, have smoked marijuana.

The major active chemical in marijuana is delat-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (commonly referred to as THC), which causes the psychoactive alterations. Marijuana's effects begin immediately after inhalation and can last for several hours.

       The drug can be addictive and can interfere with work and family. As of today, there are not many treatment programs for marijuana, even though most abusers of marijuana also abuse some other drug or chemical.

Marijuana Offenses

       The various punishments and offenses for marijuana related offenses. The California Penal Codes are as follows:

Diversion Program

       There are some diversion programs for marijuana addiction in the counties of California. Please view Drug Treatment and Diversion Programs in the Diversion Programs of this web site California Criminal Law.com.