Drug Crimes in Kissimmee

Drug crimes are serious offenses for any individual and shouldn’t be taken lightly. They’re split into two categories: possession and trafficking. Possession is the lesser of the two, amounting to an individual having a controlled substance on their person. Drug trafficking, however, involves moving and profiting off of controlled substances, from importing and transporting them to selling those drugs on the street. 

drug crime in kissimmee

Drug Schedules

The Controlled Substance Act dictates which drugs are illegal to sell, produce, distribute, and possess in the United States. Drugs are classified into categories or schedules. Five different schedules break down the potential for abuse, safety, addictive potential, and medical applications. Lower-schedule drugs (i.e. Schedule I) are usually more addictive and have fewer legitimate medical applications in comparison with higher-schedule drugs (i.e. Schedules IV and V). Possessing or distributing mass quantities of any drug is illegal, with stiffer penalties for low-schedule, addictive substances.

  • Schedule I: These substances have no accepted medical use. Schedule I drugs have a high abuse potential and are the most dangerous class of drugs because they’re highly addictive, both psychologically and physically. Examples: heroin, LSD, and marijuana.
  • Schedule II: These substances have a few acceptable medical uses. Schedule II drugs carry a high abuse potential (though still less than Schedule I), as users can potentially become psychologically and physically addicted to them. Examples: cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone. 
  • Schedule III: These substances often have medical and physical uses. Schedule III drugs have moderate to low potential for physical and psychological addictions. Examples: Vicodin, Tylenol with codeine, and testosterone.
  • Schedule IV: These substances include medically prescribed drugs (often for anxiety or sleep problems). Users are unlikely to develop dependence or addictions. Examples: Xanax, Ativan, Ambien.
  • Schedule V: These substances are made up of OTC medicines, often in categories like antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic drugs. They have the lowest abuse potential but do contain small amounts of narcotic ingredients. Examples: Robitussin, Lyrica.

Federal Drug Trafficking Penalties

While simple drug possession is a misdemeanor for which you’d pay a fine and spend a few days in prison, drug trafficking is a different matter. If you’re charged in federal court for drug crimes is Kissimmee, that’s a first-degree felony and you could face lengthy prison terms. Prison sentences start at either five or 10 years, depending on the substance you’re selling and how much the police find in your possession.

Minimum Five-Year Sentence

Selling Schedule I and II drugs in small quantities carries a minimum of five years in prison, but offenders may face up to 40 years. Violations include:

  • 100 kg marijuana
  • 1 g+ LSD
  • 5 g+ methamphetamine
  • 10 g+ PCP
  • 28 g+ substance mixed with cocaine
  • 100 g of heroin
  • 100 g+ substances mixed with PCP
  • 500 g cocaine

Minimum 10-Year Sentence

Selling Schedule I and II drugs in larger quantities carries a minimum of 10 years in prison, but offenders may face up to life in prison. A few examples include:

  • 1 kg+ heroin
  • 1 kg+ substances mixed with PCP
  • 5 kg+ cocaine
  • 1000 kg marijuana
  • 10 g+ substances mixed with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
  • 50 g+ methamphetamine
  • 100 g+ phencyclidine (PCP)
  • 280 g+ substances mixed with cocaine
  • 500 g+ substances mixed with methamphetamine

If you or your loved one find themselves in a situation where you are being accused of a drug crime? Call us right away at 407-818-1141 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Kissimmee office, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:

*Additional Orlando Florida & Orange County Legal Resources