Federal Penalties

21 U.5.C. 844 (a)
  • 1st conviction: Up to 1 year imprisonment and fined at least $1,000 but not more than $100,000 or both.
  • After 1 prior drug conviction: At least 15 days in prison, not to exceed 2 years and fined at least $2,500 but not more than $250,000 or both.
  • After 2 or more prior drug convictions: At least 90 days in prison, not to exceed 3 years and fined at least $5,000 but not more than $250,000 or both.
  • Special sentencing provisions for possession of crack cocaine: Mandatory at least 5 years in prison, not to exceed 20 years and fined up to $250,000 or both, if:
    1. a) 1st conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 5 grams.
    2. b) 2nd crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 3 grams.
    3. c) 3rd or subsequent crack conviction and the amount of crack possessed exceeds 1 gram.

21 U.S.C. 853 (a)(2) and 881 (a)(7) Forfeiture of personal and real property used to possess or to facilitate possession of a controlled substance if that offense is punishable by more than 1 year imprisonment. (See special sentencing provisions re: crack)

21 U.5.C. 881 (a)(4)
Forfeiture of vehicles, boats, aircraft or any other conveyance used to transport or conceal a controlled substance.

21 U.S.C. 844a)
Civil fine of up to $10,000 (pending adoption of final regulations).

21 U.S.C. 853a 
Denial of federal benefits, such as student loans, grants, contracts, and professional and commercial licenses, up to 1 year for first offense, up to 5 years for second and subsequent offenses.

18 U.S.C. 922(g)
Ineligible to receive or purchase a firearm.

Miscellaneous
Revocation of certain federal licenses and benefits, e.g., pilot licenses, public housing tenancy, etc., are vested within the authorities of individual federal agencies.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Publication: Drugs of Abuse, 1989 Edition.

Federal Penalties and Sanctions for Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance 
METHAMPHETAMINE
(possession) 1. up to 1/2 oz. 1. Class A misdemeanor. 6 months/$1000 fine
2. 1/2 - 2 oz. 2. Class C felony. 1-15 years/$15,000 fine
3. 2 oz. or more 3. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$40,000 fine
(sale) 1. up to 1/8 oz. 1. Class D misdemeanor. 1-3 yrs/$15,000 fine
2. 1/8 - 1/2 oz. 2. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$35,000 fine
3. 1/2 oz. or more 3. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
HALLUCINOGENS
(possession) 1. less than 25 mg. 1. Class A misdemeanor. 6 mos./$1,000 fine
2. 25-125 mg. 2. Class C felony. 1-15 yrs/$15,000 fine
3. 125-625 mg. 3. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
4. 625 mg. or more 4. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
(sale) 1. less than 25 mg. 1. Class D felony. 1-23 yrs/$15,000 fine
2. 25-125 mg. 2. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
3. 125 mg. or more 3. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
4. any amount with a prior drug conviction. 4. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
STIMULANTS
(possession) 1. less than 1 gm. 1. Class A misdemeanor. 6 mos./$1,000 fine
2. 1-5 gm. 2. Class C felony. 1-15 yrs/$15,000 fine
3. 5-10 gm. 3. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
4. 10 gm. or more 4. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
(sale) 1. less than 1 gm. 1. Class D felony. 1-3 yrs/$15,000 fine
NARCOTIC DRUGS
(possession) 1. less than 1/8 oz. 1. Class A misdemeanor. 6 mos./$1,000 fine
2. 1/8-1/2 oz. 2. Class C felony. 1-15 yrs/$15,000 fine
3. 1/2-2 oz. 3. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
4. 2-4 oz. 4. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
5. 4 oz. or more 5. Class A-I felony. 15 yrs-life/$100,000 fine
(sale) 1. less than 1/2 oz. 1. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
2. 1/2-2 oz. 2. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
3. 2 oz. or more 3. Class A-I felony. 15 yrs-life/$100,000 fine
NARCOTIC MIXTURES
(possession) 1. less than 1 oz. 1. Class A misdemeanor. 6 mos./$1,000 fine
2. 1/2-2 oz. 2. Class D felony. 1-3 yrs/$15,000 fine
3. 2 oz. or more 3. Class C felony. 1-15 yrs/$15,000 fine
(sale) 1. ANY QUANTITY 1. Class C felony. 1-15 yrs/$15,000 fine
2. any quantity to a person under 21 yrs. of age 2. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
COCAINE
(possession) 1. 500 mg. or more 1. Class D felony. 1-3 yrs/$1,000 fine
LSD
(possession) 1. up to 1 mg. 1. Class A misdemeanor. 6 mos./$1,000 fine
2. 1-5 mg. 2. Class C felony. 1-15 yrs/$15,000 fine
3. 5-25 mg. 3. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine
4. 25 mg. or more 4. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
(sale) 1. up to 1 mg. 1. Class D felony. 1-3 yrs/$15,000 fine
2. 1-5 mg. 2. Class B felony.
3. 2-25 mg. 3. Class A-II felony. 3 yrs-life/$50,000 fine
4. any amount with a prior drug conviction 4. Class B felony. 1-25 yrs/$30,000 fine






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