Classification of Controlled Substances in Indiana: What You Need to Know

drug crimes

In the state of Indiana, the possession of narcotics is taken very seriously. But if you’ve been charged with the unlawful sale of a controlled dangerous substance (or CDS), this situation will carry an even greater weight. Because the legal ramifications pertaining to drug crimes Indianapolis residents face will vary, depending on the drug and the scope of the crime, having an experienced lawyer by your side is critical. Your attorney will explain the specifics of your case and will guide you through the process. However, you may find it beneficial to have an understanding of the consequences you might face prior to your consultation.

On both the state and national level, drugs are grouped into different categories, also known as schedules. Each drug is rated by how addictive it is; for instance, the most addictive and dangerous drugs are grouped into the Schedule I category. These schedules are used to determine the charges and penalties for the drug crimes that involve their possession and sale. We’ll look at the different classifications below.

  • Schedule I: These drugs are designated as the most dangerous of all. They have a high risk for addiction/dependency and have no legitimate medical use. Drugs under this classification include heroin, LSD, and mescaline. It should be noted that while many do not consider marijuana to be a dangerous or addictive drug, it is considered to be a Schedule I drug.
  • Schedule II: While these drugs also have a high risk of abuse, they may also have some kind of legitimate medical application. Examples of these drugs include cocaine, opium, crack, PCP, methadone, and methamphetamine.
  • Schedule III: These drugs are deemed to be less dangerous than the previous two categories, but they still hold potential for abuse. Codeine, ketamine, testosterone, and anabolic steroids fall under this classification
  • Schedule IV: In general, these drugs have only a small risk of dependency and are often used for legitimate medical reasons. They include valium, Xanax, Ambien, Klonopin, tranquilizers, and clonazepam.
  • Schedule V: The last of these classifications centers around substances with very low dependency risks and many legitimate medical uses. For instance, Tylenol that contains Codeine would be considered to be in this category.

With Indiana drug crimes, the penalty for possession and/or sale will be predominantly determined by two factors: the type and quantity of the controlled substance. The vast majority of dealing charges are categorized as felonies with the limited exception of charges associated with small quantities of marijuana. Felony dealing crimes can range from as low as a level 6 felony all the way up to a level 2 charge under certain circumstances. These felony classifications can be complex and fact specific, and we will outline them in a future post. But for the time being, it’s important to understand how the penalties for drug crimes are constructed, and more importantly how severe the consequences for a conviction of a drug crime can be.

If you have more questions about these drug classifications or require assistance from a narcotics attorney in Indianapolis, Hayes Ruemmele is here to help. For more information, contact us today.