Is Cultivating Marijuana a Crime of Moral Turpitude?

When most people think of crimes of moral turpitude, the first thing that comes to mind is a conviction for robbery or perhaps rape.

The Gist of This Article:  Cultivating marijuana (a violation of Health & Safety Code § 11358) is a crime of moral turpitude because it done for trafficking marijuana, also a crime, and consequently cultivation shows a “general readiness to do evil,” “bad character,” or “moral depravity.” People v. Castro (1985) 38 Cal. 3d 301, 306, 314.

In the case of Solomon Gabriel, the issue was whether his prior convictions for unlawful planting, cultivating or harvesting of marijuana (Health and Safety Code § 11358) and unlawful possession of an unregistered assault weapon (Health and Safety Code § 12280) constituted crimes of moral turpitude for purposes of impeaching his credibility.  

Mr. Gabriel’s new case in Los Angeles was for cultivating and possession of marijuana (Health and Safety Code § 11358), as well as possession of marijuana for sale (Health and Safety Code § 11359).  Defendant was found with seventeen mature marijuana plants.  When deputies tried to arrest defendant, he attempted to drive away, but deputies, blocked his escape and arrested him.

A jury found Gabriel guilty of violating Health and Safety Code § 11358 (cultivation) but not guilty of violating Health and Safety Code § 11359 (sales).  During trial, Gabriel testified, so his credibility was an issue for the jury.  The judge then admitted evidence of Gabriel’s prior convictions for violating §§ 11358 and 12280 as described above.  

Due to defendant’s prior convictions, the judge sentenced defendant to four years in prison, plus a two year enhancement under Penal Code § 12022.1 because defendant was free on bail from another case when he committed the subject offenses.

Defendant then appealed his conviction, arguing that the trial court judge erred in allowing the prosecution to impeach his credibility by admitting evidence of his prior convictions for possession of an unregistered assault weapon and cultivation of marijuana, saying neither conviction was for a crime of moral turpitude.

In People v. Solomon Abyabwi Gabriel (2012 DJDAR 6862), the Second Appellate District disagreed.  The Court noted from the outset that the California Constitution, Article I, Section 28 (f), allows the use of any felony conviction which necessarily involves moral turpitude,” even if the immoral trait is other than dishonesty.”

The appellate court further noted that crimes involving moral turpitude include not only those that reveal dishonesty, but also a “general readiness to do evil,” “bad character,” or “moral depravity.” People v. Castro (1985) 38 Cal. 3d 301, 306, 314.  Such crimes include an act of “baseness, vileness or depravity in the private and social duties which a person owes to others.”

The possession of an unregistered assault weapon, the court found, reveals a “general readiness to do evil.”  The court cited to People v. Garrett (1987) 195 Cal.App.3d 795, where possession of an unregistered firearm was found to be a crime of moral turpitude.  Here, the appellate court noted that Gabriel’s weapon was the type normally used only for criminal purposes and this showed a “readiness to do evil.”  Consequently, the trial court was correct in finding this prior conviction for possession of an unregistered assault weapon was a crime of moral turpitude, and thus admissible to impeach him.


For more information about immigration issues, click on the following articles:

1. First Degree Residential Burglary is a Crime of Violence Under Immigration Laws
2. Immigration Consequences of a Plea to Misdemeanor Criminal Threats are Not Grounds to Vacate a Judgment
3. Immigration Consequences of a Conviction For DUI

Contact Greg Hill & Associates