Any charge related to drug possession and/or distribution in Florida is a serious matter. That said, some may try to tell you that the criminal consequences related to certain controlled substances are not as grave as others (thus implying that you may not need to worry about what you might face).
Is this true? There are certain categories (called “schedules”) into which state lawmakers group drugs and controlled substances. Indeed, the penalties for offenses related to the drugs in these categories vary from schedule to schedule.
Breaking down the state’s drug schedules
Section 893.03 of the Florida statutes detail the state’s drug schedules. The criteria for the substances grouped into these respective schedules include:
- Schedule I: Substances with a high potential for abuse, with no accepted medical uses and does not meet safety standards even under medical supervision
- Schedule II: Substances with a high potential for abuse (and whose use likely results in a severe physical and mental dependence), and with restricted medical uses
- Schedule III: Substances with a lower potential for abuse than Schedule I or II substances, with accepted medical uses, and whose use could lead to a moderate dependency (or physical damage, as may be the case with anabolic steroid use)
- Schedule IV: Substances with a low potential for abuse relative to the aforementioned schedules, with accepted medical uses, and whose use could lead to a limited dependency
- Schedule V: Substances with the lowest potential of abuse of those identified by state officials
Measuring the severity of drug offenses
Controlled substances in the higher schedules often prompt officials to seek harsher criminal penalties. However, returning to the question posed at the beginning of the blog, the repercussions that stem from any drug offense should prompt you to not take any charge lightly.