Drug charges in North Carolina vary depending on the type of drug you possess, and the severity of such charges may also vary depending on the amount of the drug that was possessed. In North Carolina, drugs are broken down into different schedules. Schedule I is the most severe and Schedule VI is the least severe. Drugs are generally categorized based on how addictive they are, and how harmful the side effects are. Below is a list of schedules in North Carolina:
Schedule I – Includes Heroin, Ecstasy, GHB, Methaqualone, Peyote, and Opiates; Possession of these drugs are a Class I Felony
Schedule II – Includes Cocaine, Raw Opium, Opium Extracts, Fluid and Powder Codeine, Hydrocodone, Morphine, and Methadone; First Offense for any of these is a Class I Misdemeanor and a Second Offense is a Class I Felony
Schedule III– Includes Ketamine, Anabolic Steroids, and some Barbiturates; First Offense is a Class I Misdemeanor and a Second Offense is a Class 1 Felony
Schedule IV – Includes Valium, Xanax, Rohypnol, Darvon, Clonazepam, and Barbital; First Offense is a Class 1 Misdemeanor and a Second Offense is a Class I Felony.
Schedule V – Includes over the counter cough medicines with codeine; First Offense is a Class 2 Misdemeanor and a Second Offense is a Class 1 Misdemeanor
Schedule VI– Includes Marijuana, Hashish, and Hashish Oil; First Offense is a Class 3 Misdemeanor and a Second Offense is a Class 2 Misdemeanor.
While these are typical classes and punishments for drug charges in North Carolina, these will be enhanced if someone is charged distributing any of them. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been charged with the possession or distribution of one of these substances contact the law offices of Robert J. Reeves, P.C. toll-free at 877-374-5999. You can also visit our homepage at www.rjrlaw.com for more information on how to contact us.