Modoc County

Modoc County is located in California’s northeast region, to the south of Oregon and the west of Nevada. During the census of 2010, the population of the county was estimated at just fewer than 9,700. The only incorporated city in the county – Alturas – also serves as the seat of the county.

Cultivation, Possession, and Sales of Marijuana in Modoc County

As with other California counties, the only people allowed to legally cultivate, possess, and process marijuana are patients approved for medical marijuana use by a licensed physician or the caregivers of such patients. For such individuals in Modoc County, the legal limit is 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants and 8 ounces of bud.

Possession of marijuana in Modoc County is not necessarily a criminal offense even if the offender is not legally authorized to possess marijuana. For amounts of 28.5 grams or less, the offense is considered only a civil infraction, with a $100 fine. However, marijuana possession in excess of 28.5 grams or less is a criminal offense for which the offender may be sentenced to a 6-month jail term and a $500 fine.

The cultivation and processing of marijuana in Modoc County is illegal regardless of amount if the offender is not an approved medical marijuana patient or caregiver assigned to a medical marijuana patient. This offense is punishable by a 16-month prison term.

California marijuana laws also prohibit the sale of any amount of marijuana in Modoc County by individuals not connected to a legal dispensary. This offense is punishable by a 2- to 4-year prison term. If the marijuana is sold to a minor, the offender may be charged with a felony offense that merits a 3- to 5-year prison sentence. In addition, individuals under the age of 21 who are found to have been selling marijuana in any amount may have their driver’s license revoked for a period of one year.