While Florida has joined many other states in loosening the restrictions placed on the possession of marijuana and other products containing THC, state law still comes down extremely harshly on drug possession, distribution, and manufacturing in general. With very few exceptions, even simple possession of substances like cocaine and methamphetamine can be prosecuted as a felony offense, and more serious offenses involving larger amounts of drugs can be punishable by decades of imprisonment upon conviction. No matter what kind of drug charge you are dealing with, you will want an expert Kendall drug lawyer on your side. Working with an award-winning defense team like the one at Rossen Law Firm gives you a better chance of securing the best possible case result and protecting your future.
How State Law Categorizes Controlled Substances
Both United States federal and Florida state law sort controlled substances into one of five “schedules.” These schedules are based on how likely people are to abuse or become dependent on the drug and whether the drug has a legitimate medical use if prescribed by a physician. Schedule I substances are considered to be the most dangerous, while Schedule V substances are considered to be the least dangerous. Notably, marijuana used to be considered a Schedule I substance and still is classified as such under federal law, but Florida has recently made it legal for state residents to possess and use small amounts of marijuana, provided they have a valid license and prescription from a doctor. Additionally, Miami-Dade County is one of many localities around Florida which has decriminalized the possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis for personal use. Decriminalization means the offense is punishable only as a civil citation and not as a crime—although possession of marijuana is still against the law at the state level. A Kendall drug attorney can explain in more detail how a controlled substance’s legal categorization could affect the outcome of a drug-related criminal case.Possible Penalties for a Drug-Related Conviction
Simple possession of over 20 grams of marijuana or of the specified amounts of other substances listed below is considered a third-degree felony in Florida:- Less than four grams of heroin
- Less than 28 grams of cocaine
- Less than 14 grams of methamphetamine
- Less than seven grams of oxycodone without a legitimate prescription
- Any amount of Xanax without a legitimate prescription