Did you know that the penalties for drug crimes vary depending on the drug’s classification?
Federal Drug Schedules
Schedule 1 drugs are considered to have no medical value and high potential for abuse, while schedule 2 through 5 substances all have some medical value but differ in ranking depending on their potential for abuse (from high to low).
Some examples of the drugs that are on each schedule:
- Schedule 1: marijuana, heroin, LSD, ecstasy, and magic mushrooms
- Schedule 2: cocaine, meth, oxycodone, Adderall, Ritalin, and Vicodin
- Schedule 3: Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone
- Schedule 4: Xanax, Soma, Darvocet, Valium, and Ambien
- Schedule 5: Robitussin AC, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, and Parepectolin
Drug Schedules and Sentencing
Drug schedules matter in drug trafficking and drug conspiracy cases because your potential sentence and penalties will increase for drugs in the high-risk schedules. For example, being found in possession of heroin will result in harsher penalties than for a similar amount of Xanax. Not only this, but the amount of the drug in your possession also matters for drug trafficking and drug conspiracy cases. Trafficking amounts in Georgia vary from substance to substance: for cocaine and meth, trafficking starts at 28 grams; heroin starts at 4 grams, and marijuana starts at 10 pounds. Georgia drug trafficking laws all come with mandatory minimum sentences, depending on the amount. The maximum sentence for drug trafficking in Georgia is 30 years.
Fighting Drug Trafficking Charges
If convicted of drug trafficking, you face years in prison and expensive fines. If you’ve recently been charged in a State drug trafficking case or a Federal drug conspiracy case, contact our Atlanta attorney at Law Office of Jeff Manciagli. Jeff has helped numerous clients fight complex drug cases and he wants to help you too. Share the details of your case during an initial case consultation —; click here to contact us.