A good number of consequences can accompany a drug offense in South Carolina. Having said that, many understand that not all drug offenses may be equal.
Many of those who come to us here at Kappel Law want to know exactly what sort of penalties they could face; you may reasonably have the same question. The answer depends largely on the type of substance involved in your offense.
Understanding various drug classifications
South Carolina state law classifies drugs into various categories (referred to in legal terms as “schedules”). Authorities differentiate these schedules based on the potential for abuse a drug presents, the potential for users developing a dependency to it, and whether it has any recognized medical benefits.
Per Title 44 of South Carolina’s Health Code, the state’s drug schedules (and their distinguishing factors) are as follows:
- Schedule I: Substances with a high potential for abuse, with no recognized medical benefits and whose use is not safe even under medical supervision
- Schedule II: Substances with a high potential for abuse that do have recognized medical benefits and whose use could lead to a severe physical or psychological dependency
- Schedule III: Substances that do have recognized medical benefits and that present a moderate potential for abuse and the development of a moderate dependency
- Schedule IV: Substances that do have recognized medical benefits and that present a low potential for abuse and the development of a limited dependency
- Schedule V: Substances that do have recognized medical benefits and that present the lowest potential for abuse and the development of a dependency
Taking drug charges seriously
Despite a substance’s placement on the state’s drug schedule, charges for use, possession or distribution should demand your full respect (and every effort needed to combat or mitigate them). You can learn more about dealing with drug charges by continuing to explore our site.
