Drug Scheduling Schedule I

The controlled substances listed under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act are those that are considered most dangerous and hazardous, for they have proven to be extremely prone to addiction and/or abuse. Furthermore, at the current time, no viable or quantifiable medical use has been evident or proven of these types of controlled substances. Possession of drugs such as these is a very serious matter. The criteria that constitute a controlled substance to be placed under Schedule I are: The substance has a high potential for abuse and/or addiction; The substance has not been proven to have any accepted medical use in the United States; There is no provision for accepted safe use of the substance under medical supervision. The controlled substances in Schedule I are not only extremely restricted, but most are considered illegal to be consumed, produced, possessed, sold, or bought by regular civilians. Only those factions appropriately registered and recognized by the Drug Enforcement Administration can handle Schedule I controlled substances. Such grants for possession of drugs are only given to manufacturers, researchers, and distributors for the sole purpose of research and study. Thus, possession of drugs such as these can cause great trouble for individuals. Because Schedule I controlled substances are so highly regulated and restricted, the legal penalties and consequences for anyone unauthorized by the DEA to handle such drugs or substances are quite extreme. Controlled substances found in Schedule are, but not limited to: Marijuana (Cannabis), Heroin, MDMA, Psilocybin, GHB, LSD, Peyote, Mescaline, and Quaalude. The legal ramifications of possession of drugs, use, transfer, trafficking, and purchase and sale of Schedule I substances are very stringent. For example, there are specific sentences to particular types of Schedule I controlled substances. Marijuana trafficking violations can vary depending on the amount being illegally transferred or transported, and if any prior offenses exist. A trafficking or possession of drugs charge of a first offense of more than 10kgs of hashish, or a mixture weighing 50 to 99kgs will lead to up to 20 years in prison and up to a one million dollar fine for an individual, five million for more than one individual. This provision concerning drug possession charges also includes more than one kilogram of hashish oil and/or 50 to 99 plants. If a serious injury or death is involved in the drug possession charge, the prison sentence is at least 20 years, but not more than life. A second offense of possession of drugs will carry a minimum 30 year sentence, $2 million dollar fine for an individual, $10 million for more than one. If death or serious injury occurs, a mandatory life sentence is dispensed to the person charged of this illegal drug possession or trafficking. For Heroin, drug possession of 100 to 999 grams of a mixture or impure Heroin, the first offense carries no less than five years imprisonment, but no more than forty. A maximum fine of $2 million dollars for an individual, $5 million if more than one individual is involved may also be added. If death or serious injury occurs, a minimum of 20 years is in order, but not exceeding a life sentence. The illegal drug possession or trafficking of LSD is the same if one to nine grams of the substance is found. The prison sentences and fines increase dramatically with subsequent offenses and if the quantity exceeds a certain amount. The previous amounts are listed as the minimum in terms of violations. It is evident that the illegal drug possession or trafficking of Schedule I controlled substances is not taken lightly and severe consequences are imposed against those that do not obey the provisions as written in the Controlled Substance Act.