A few years ago, I was in a pretty serious car accident. During the aftermath, I became really familiar with a lot of different types of lawyers. I worked with personal injury lawyers, insurance lawyers, and many others. Perhaps the most important, though, was the estate planning lawyer. I was really young, and neither my wife or I had thought about starting a will. But the accident kind of scared us into it. What would happen if one of us were to die? Even when still in the hospital, I was working with the lawyer to draw up a will. Now, I have some peace and security about what the future will be like if something should happen to me. And I have a lot of experience working with various types of lawyers! The accident was kind of a blessing in disguise in that way.
When a person is charged for manufacturing or selling drugs they are not authorized to, this can lead to a variety of different punishments by the court system. In the state of Ohio, drugs are put into different classifications. The classification of the drug often helps determine how severe the person who is making or selling them is punished. The classifications are divided into groups known as "schedules" in Ohio. These are the different schedules and the types of drugs that that they include.
Schedule 1 Drugs
Manufacturing or selling schedule 1 drugs normally carry the most severe penalties. These drugs are very dangerous, very addictive and have not been approved for medicinal use by the Federal Drug Administration. Some drugs that are included in this group are LSD, heroin, GHB and ecstasy.
Schedule 2 Drugs
Schedule 2 drugs are also dangerous and have a high risk of addiction and abuse. However, they may also have some medicinal purposes when taken properly. The drugs included in this classification are methamphetamine, opium, methadone, cocaine and amphetamines.
Schedule 3 Drugs
Schedule 3 drugs are not as dangerous as schedule 2 drugs but do have a high risk of being abused. They also may be used for medicinal purposes, but are commonly used for recreational purposes instead. These include hydrocodone, codeine, antibiotic steroids, some antidepressants, ketamine, and testosterone.
Schedule 4 Drugs
People are less likely to become addicted to and abuse schedule 4 drugs. These drugs are commonly used for medical treatment and may not be sold illegally as frequently as some other more addictive drugs. Schedule 4 drugs often include clonazepam, certain sedatives, and some tranquilizers.
Schedule 5 Drugs
Schedule 5 drugs are normally the least deadly of all. They have a very low risk of addiction and do not always require a prescription. Over-the-counter cold medicines that include alcohol or codeine are categorized in this group.
Other factors also determine the severity of the punishment for manufacturing or selling illegal drugs. The amount that is manufactured and sold also plays a huge part in determining the correct penalty. Ohio court systems may also consider where the drugs were made or sold. For instance, making or selling drugs within close proximity to a school or other common area for children can lead to harsher punishment. In Ohio, the penalties for manufacturing or selling drugs are usually very strict because this crime can greatly endanger the lives of others.
For further assistance, contact a drug defense attorney, such as one from Kassel & Kassel A Group of Independent Law Offices.
Share11 August 2015
