Drug trafficking offenders in North Carolina are subject to mandatory minimum penalties for conviction. The state considers the sale, distribution and manufacture of controlled substances a felony offense. These sentences start at 25 months in prison and may last for up to 225 months.
Before facing a court date for selling drugs in the state, make sure you understand the possible sentences for this offense.
Class H offenses
You can receive a class H felony charge for possession of 28 to 200 grams of amphetamine, 50 to 250 dosage units of synthetic cannabis or 10 to 50 pounds of dry cannabis. A conviction for a class H felony for drug charges results in at least 25 months in prison.
Class G offenses
Possession of these amounts is a class G felony carrying at least 35 months in prison for conviction:
- MDMA: 28 to 200 grams or 100 to 500 units
- LSD: 100 to 500 units
- Methamphetamine: 200 to 400 grams
- Cocaine: 28 to 200 grams
- Synthetic cannabis: 250 to 1,250 units
- Dry cannabis: 50 to 2,000 pounds
Class F offenses
The mandatory minimum sentence for a class F felony is 70 months in prison. This sentence applies to the conviction for possession of:
- Heroin or prescription opiates: 4 to 14 grams
- MDMA: 200 to 400 grams or 500 to 1,000 units
- LSD: 500 to 1,000 units
- Methamphetamine: 200 to 400 grams
- Cocaine: 200 to 400 grams
- Synthetic cannabis: 1,250 to 3,750 units
- Dry cannabis: 2,000 to 10,000 pounds
Possession of larger amounts of controlled substances can receive categorization up to a Class C felony. Conviction at this level carries at least 225 months in prison. However, offenders who cooperate with prosecutors may be eligible for a waiver of the mandatory minimum prison sentence at the judge’s discretion. Conversely, longer sentences can result from extenuating circumstances such as distributing drugs to a minor, selling drugs in a school zone or using a minor to distribute controlled substances.