North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Chart

Each drug in North Carolina is categorized in a Schedule. Schedule I drugs are the most serious. In addition, North Carolina has a chart to determine mandatory minimums in drug trafficking cases. Here are the charts that may apply if you are accused of a drug possession, drug trafficking, or other drug related crime.

Schedule I

Has a high potential for abuse.
Has no medical use.
Has a lack of accepted safety.

Heroin
Ecstasy
GHB
Methaqualone
Peyote
Opiates
(and others)

First Offense

Class I Felony

4-5 Months

 
Schedule II

Has a high potential
for abuse.
Has accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
Abuse may lead to physical or psychological dependence.

Cocaine
Raw Opium
Opium Extracts, Fluid and Powder
Codeine
Hydrocodone
Morphine

Methadone
Methamphetamine
Ritalin (and others)

 First Offense

Class 1 Misdemeanor

45 Days in Jail

Second Offense

Class I Felony

4-5 Months

Schedule III

Has
potential for abuse, but less than Schedule I or II substances.

Has an accepted medical use.
Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

 Ketamine
Anabolic Steroids
Some Barbituates

(and others)

 First Offense

Class 1 Misdemeanor

45 Days in Jail

Second Offense

Class I Felony

4-5 Months
Schedule IV

Has
a low potential for abuse.
Has an accepted medical use.
Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

 Valium
Xanax
Rohypnol
Darvon
Clonazepam

Barbital
(and others)

 First Offense

Class 1 Misdemeanor

45 Days in Jail

Second Offense

Class I Felony

4-5 Months

Schedule V

Has
a low potential for abuse.
Has an accepted medical use.
Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

 Over the counter cough medicines with codeine
(and others)		 First Offense

Class 2 Misdemeanor

30 Days in Jail

Second Offense

Class 1 Misdemeanor

45 Days in Jail

Schedule VI

Has a low potential for abuse.
Has no accepted medical use.
Abuse may lead to limited dependence.

Marijuana
Hashish
Hashish Oil		 First Offense

Class 3 Misdemeanor

10 Days in Jail or
Suspended Sentence

 Second Offense

Class 2 Misdemeanor

30 Days in Jail

Illegal Trafficking Penalties

Marijuana

10 – 49 lbs.

Class H Felony
25 – 30 Months

$5,000 Fine

50 – 1,999 lbs. Class G Felony
35 – 42 Months		 $25,000 Fine
2,000 – 9,999 lbs. Class F Felony
70 – 84 Months		 $50,000 Fine
10,000 lbs. or more Class D Felony
175 – 219 Months		 $200,000 Fine

Heroin

 4 – 13 grams Class F Felony
70 – 84 Months		 $50,000 Fine
14 – 27 grams Class E Felony
90 – 117 Months		 $100,000 Fine
28 grams or more Class C Felony
225 – 279 Months		 $250,000 Fine

Cocaine

 28 – 199 grams Class G Felony

35 – 42 Months

 $50,000 Fine
200 – 399 grams Class F Felony

70 – 87 Months

 $100,000 Fine
400 grams or more Class D Felony

175 – 219 Months

 $250,000 Fine

Metham-
phetamines

 28 – 199 grams Class F Felony
70 – 84 Months		 $50,000 Fine
200 – 399 grams Class E Felony
90 – 117 Months		 $100,000 Fine
400 grams or more Class C Felony
225 – 279 Months		 $250,000 Fine