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Drug trafficking charges in North Carolina

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.