Schedule II Drugs in Pennsylvania

Over the span of its history, the United States has persistently attempted to completely ban addictive drugs from the population by criminalizing its possession, manufacturing, and distribution. It's first successful effort, despite the prior enactment of confusing and ineffective drug laws, was the Controlled Substances Act in the 1970s. The Act permits the federal government to regulate hallucinogens, narcotics, stimulants, and depressants, and renames them as controlled substances. These substances are categorized into “schedules,” that dictate a drug's potential hazardousness or harmlessness.

Pennsylvania uses the scheduling of the CSA to prosecute drug offenders. This is why it's important for people accused and charged with drug offenses involving controlled substances to understand the state's laws and potential penalties concerning the drugs that are regulated by the government. For the purposes of this article, we will address (1) the drug classification system in Pennsylvania, (2) the drugs that are categorized under drug schedule 2, (3) and the legal ramifications associated with these drug crimes.

Drug Classifications in Pennsylvania

A drug's classification determines the severity of the potential penalties an alleged perpetrator will face if convicted of a drug crime. There are five schedules that list drugs that the government has declared pose a risk to society. Schedule 1 drugs are considered the most dangerous, while schedule 5 drugs are deemed the least dangerous.The government has assessed a number of factors to determine where or if a drug belongs on a schedule:

  • The state of the scientific research available for the drug
  • The effects of long-term usage
  • The drug's actual or relative potential for abuse
  • The drug's potential risk to public health
  • Whether or not the substance is a gateway drug (leads to the use of another illegal substance) etc.

Schedule 2 Drugs

Law enforcement takes schedule 2 drugs incredibly seriously. Schedule 2 drugs have a pretty high potential abuse, but not as high as schedule 1 drugs. Some of these controlled substances are used for medical purposes, but only with extreme restrictions.

Some schedule 2 drugs include:

  • PCP
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamine (meth)
  • Methadone
  • Vicodin
  • Fentanyl
  • Oxycodone
  • Adderall
  • Ritalin
  • Meperidine etc.

Drug Penalties

In Pennsylvania, the possession, distribution, and manufacturing of controlled substances is against the law. Simple possession is charged as a misdemeanor but still carries pretty harsh penalties. Those who are charged with possession with the intent to distribute PWID will be facing felony criminal penalties. The legal ramifications for a conviction of this nature consist of costly fines and a sentence of imprisonment, even for a first-time offense.

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney

If you've been charged with a drug offense involving a controlled substance, it's important that you get in contact with an attorney. Our team will be able to assess your case and weigh your options depending on your individualized circumstances. We've successfully reduced the sentence of clients who've acquired drug charges and has managed to even get some of our client's cases dismissed, and we can do the same for you. Contact us today.

Contact Us Today!

The LLF Law Firm Team has decades of experience successfully resolving clients' criminal charges in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania counties. If you are having any uncertainties about what the future may hold for you or a loved one, contact the LLF Law Firm today! Our Criminal Defense Team will go above and beyond the needs of any client, and will fight until the final bell rings.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

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