North Carolina Schedules, Controlled Substances & Penalties for Possession

The Schedules, Controlled Substances and Penalties for Possession listed below describes the schedule system, gives examples of drugs in each schedule, and outlines the minimum punishment for possession of any amount of the substance. The punishments for illegally trafficking controlled substances are much more severe than those for possession. The Illegal Trafficking Penalties listed below describe the minimum amount of controlled substance that one must possess in order to be charged with trafficking.

Schedules, Controlled Substances and Penalties for Possession

Schedule I

Has a high potential for abuse. Has no medical use. Has a lack of accepted safety.

Heroine, Ecstasy, GHB, Methaqualone, Peyote, Opiates (and others)

First Offense – Class 1 Felony, 4-5 months

Schedule II

Has a high potential for abuse. Has accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to physical or psychological dependence.

Cocaine, Raw Opium, Opium Extracts-Fluid and Powder, Codeine, Hydrocodone, Morphine, Methadone, Methamphetamine, Ritalin (and others)

First Offense – Class 1 Misdemeanor, 45 Days in Jail

Second Offense – Class 1 Felony, 4-5 Months

Schedule III

Has potential for abuse, but less than Schedule I or II substances. Has an accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Ketamine, Anabolic Steroids, Some Barbiturates (and others)

First Offense – Class 1, 45 Days in Jail

Second Offense – Class 1 Felony, 4-5 Months

Schedule IV

Has a low potential for abuse. Has an accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Valium, Xanax, Rohypnol, Darvon, Clonazepam, Barbital (and others)

First Offense – Class 1 Misdemeanor, 45 Days in Jail

Second Offense – Class 1 Felony, 4-5Months

Schedule V

Has a low potential for abuse. Has an accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Over-the-counter cough medicines with codeine (and others)

First Offense– Class 2 Misdemeanor, 30 Days in Jail

Second Offense – Class 1 Misdemeanor, 45 Days in Jail

Schedule VI

Has a low potential for abuse. Has no accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Marijuana, Hashish, Hashish Oil

First Offense – Class 3 Misdemeanor, 10 Days in Jail or Suspended Sentence

Second Offense– Class 2 Misdemeanor 30 Days in Jail

Illegal Trafficking Penalties

Marijuana

10 – 49 lbs.	Class H Felony 25 – 30 Months	$5,000 Fine
50 – 1,999 lbs.	Class G Felony 35 – 42 Months	$25,000 Fine
2,000 – 9,999 lbs.	Class F Felony 70 – 84 Months	$50,000 Fine
10,000 lbs. or more	Class D Felony 175 – 219 Months	$200,000 Fine

Heroin

4 – 13 grams	Class F Felony 70 – 84 Months	$50,000 Fine
14 – 27 grams	Class E Felony 90 – 117 Months	$100,000 Fine
28 grams or more	Class C Felony 225-279 Months	$250,000 Fine

Cocaine

28 – 199 grams	Class G Felony 35 – 42 Months	$50,000 Fine
200 – 399 grams	Class F Felony 70 – 87 Months	$100,000 Fine
400 grams or more	Class D Felony 175 – 219 Months	$250,000 Fine

Methamphetamines

28 – 199 grams	Class F Felony 70 – 84 Months	$50,000 Fine
200 – 399 grams	Class E Felony 90 – 117 Months	$100,000 Fine
400 grams or more	Class C Felony 225 – 279 Months	$250,000 Fine