Your Guide to Understanding Drug Laws in NC

Drug laws have been undergoing extensive changes and revisions in 2020, like nearly every other aspect of life. This is a good sign for drug laws that have been badly in need of investigation for a long time. 

It’s not good news for everybody, unfortunately. Nor is it good news for people trying to keep track of the current drug laws. Drug laws and sentencing vary widely from state to state. 

Here’s what you need to know about North Carolina drug laws, to set the record straight! 

Your Guide To North Carolina Drug Law

North Carolina drug law is rather complex and involved. Understanding it is a discipline unto itself. All of the particulars are detailed in the North Carolina Statutes Article 5. This is most commonly referred to as the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act. 

Schedules

Drug laws in North Carolina dictate six levels of schedules for controlled substances. Schedule I is considered the most addictive and having no medical value. 

Schedule II through V substances are less addictive. They also have more medical value. 

Schedule VI is for Cannabis and related products. Marijuana is not permissible for medical use in North Carolina, but it’s thought to have a lot likelihood of abuse. 

Types Of Offenses

NC drug laws fall under two categories. Possession is the first and less severe. Trafficking is the other and comes with stricter penalties. 

Someone could also be charged with maintaining a home or vehicle with the intent to distribute. 

Levels Of Charges

Drug laws in North Carolina have two levels of charges as well. Misdemeanors are the first and less serious of the two. Felonies are the other and have far greater legal repercussions. 

What level of charge depends on the schedule of the drug involved and the type of drug itself. 

Misdemeanors usually only carry a fine or, at most, a small amount of jail time. They will still show up on background checks and your permanent record, however. 

Felonies carry stricter penalties. They usually involve much larger fines that can range from a few thousand to several hundred thousands of dollars. Felonies can also carry significant time in prison, from a few months to several years. 

Being charged with a felony can have an impact on some of your other rights, as well. If you’re found guilty of a felony, for instance, you’ll lose your right to vote. It could also impact your ability to get a passport or live in another country. 

As you can see, getting charged with with breaking North Carolina drug laws can have major consequences on your life. It doesn’t have to be the end of the world, though. Especially when you’re able to post bail so you can secure legal council. 

Are You Looking For Bail Bonds In North Carolina?

There are a lot of things to keep track of with North Carolina drug laws. Running afoul of North Carolina drug laws doesn’t have to be a catastrophe, however. If you or someone you know has been charged with violating North Carolina drug law, you can get a bail bond so you have the freedom to get the best possible representation!