There are a few reasons why a crime involving marijuana may be charged as a felony offense:
If you have three prior misdemeanor convictions for simple possession of less than one ounce of pot;
You are found in possession, even if the first time, with more than one ounce of marijuana; or
You are caught with marijuana and the judge agrees that you intended to sell it to other people.
Most Las Vegas felony marijuana crimes are charged as Category E or Category D felonies. These both carry prison sentences up to 4 years. A Category E felony may also require you to pay fines of $5,000. A Category D felony may require you to pay fines up to $10,000.
Marijuana trafficking is the most serious offense involving marijuana in terms of jail time. You can be sentenced to 1 to 5 years for trafficking amounts over 100 pounds, while amounts over 10,000 pounds can result in a life sentence with the possibility of parole.
Hiring a seasoned Las Vegas marijuana defense lawyer is critical. You should not take the possibility of a felony conviction lightly, and even for misdemeanor crimes, there is the possibility of dismissal with appropriate and skilled representation.