The Controlled Substance Act (CSA) was added to the law to establish regulations that manage the distribution, manufacturing, possession and research of certain substances that have addictive qualities. This is the framework that determines whether certain drugs, for example, can be bought over the counter or prescribed by doctors. However, many substances do not have the same regulations.
Certain substances that have a high risk of abuse and addiction are deemed to have very few legal uses. To decide how substances are regulated, a classification system was created to group drugs into schedules. There are five total drug schedules: Schedule V drugs have the least amount of regulations while Schedule I drugs have the most amount of regulations.
It may be important for people to understand drug schedules if they are arrested for illegal drug possession. The CSA can influence the severity of drug possession charges. Here is what you should know:
How does the CSA affect criminal drug possession trials?
There are a few factors that courts consider when reviewing a drug possession case. One of the largest factors is the type of drug that was possessed. If a defendant was in possession of a Schedule I drug, they may face harsher charges than someone in possession of a Schedule V drug. In this instance, a person charged with drug possession of a Schedule I substance could face maximum jail time and fines.
The classification of substances could also be considered depending on the quantity of drugs a defendant possessed. Possessing even a small quantity of a Schedule I drug could lead to severe charges.
Legal guidance can help people facing drug possession charges understand the severity of their case.
