Opiate addiction has become a massive epidemic in this country, with little signs of it slowing down. Recently a panel of experts met in Washington DC to attempt to figure out some solutions in at the very least slowing it down. The CDC has stated that deaths from opiate overdoses have more than quadrupled over the last 15 years. This has and will continue to put a great strain on our communities. The substances are broken down into three levels or schedules according to the DEA’s assessment of their danger. At the top are Schedule I and carry with them the strongest penalties for possession or depending on the amount intent to sell. The DEA defines this group as having three significant attributes:
- There is a high level of abuse associated with it.
- It has no currently accepted medical use within the United States.
- There is an accepted lack of safety for use with the drug or other substance under medical supervision.
Possession of one of these substances is a Class B felony, and can include fines up to $250,000 and ten years in prison. They include Heroin, MDMA, Peyote, Psilocybin, GHB and Mescaline. Controversially Marijuana is also listed as a Schedule I narcotic, unless it’s less than one ounce. Due to its Schedule I status it is very difficult to obtain a license to do research on the substance.
Within Schedule I there are three subsections it’s important to remember:
- Opiate – Being derived from, resembling or containing opium. Often it has morphine like effects.
- Narcotic- A substance, such as morphine or heroin which is known to cause narcosis or narcosis like effects.
- Hallucinogenic – A drug that causes hallucinations or dissociative episodes.
There are over 80 different substances currently listed as Schedule I. It’s imperative should you and your loved ones have been arrested for possession to seek knowledgeable representation that will be able to assist in maintaining your freedom.
If you are seeking representation for a drug or criminal case call today for a free consultation 800-709-1131 or fill out a contact form on our website for a no-cost consultation. We hope to hear from you today!
