Westminster Drug Lawyer

Drug Schedule Classifications Under State Law

State law follows the Federal Controlled Substances Act in classifying controlled substances into five different categories or schedules. The schedule in which a drug falls depends on the danger that it poses to the public, its level of addictiveness, and its medicinal properties. These schedules range in decreasing severity from Schedule I to Schedule V.

Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, and ecstasy. Under federal law, marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, but the state of Colorado has placed that drug into a separate schedule. Schedule II drugs include fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, and methamphetamine. On the other hand, Schedule III drugs are substances that contain specific percentages of hydrocodone, codeine, and buprenorphine, such as Suboxone.

Schedule IV and V drugs consist primarily of controlled substances often used to treat patients for medical conditions, but which are available only by prescription. These drugs include Xanax, Valium, Ativan, and cough medicines containing codeine. When dealing with drug charges, individuals are likely to benefit from the experience and knowledge of a drug lawyer in Westminster.

Marijuana-Related Charges

Although both recreational and medical marijuana is now legal in the state of Colorado, significant restrictions still govern marijuana possession and distribution. Individuals can still face criminal charges stemming from incidents that involve marijuana.

For instance, under Colo. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18-18-406, the sale or transfer of more than two and one-half pounds of marijuana or more than one pound of marijuana concentrate to a minor may be a level 1 drug felony if the accused is at least two years older than the minor. If the sale or transfer involves smaller amounts of marijuana, then the charges and accompanying penalties will be less severe.