TN+Criminal+Drug+Offenses

TN Laws

TN Criminal Drug Cases 1st

Distribution of less than one-half (1/2) ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor Categorized as Class A misdemeanors, they are punishable by up to 11 months, twenty-nine days in prison, as well as a fine of up to $2,500 Possession of marijuana paraphernalia- ** A misdemeanor which penalties include incarceration for one year with a fine of $2,500
 * MARIJUANA **
 * Possession of marijuana- **
 * 

Felony which penalties include incarceration for one to six years with a fine of $3,000
 * Sale of marijuana paraphernalia- **

First, if a casual exchange occurs between an adult and a minor, the charge will be increased to a felony under the schedule system.
 * Exceptions- **

Second, any person charged with a misdemeanor drug offense, who has at least two existing drug offenses, will be charged with a Class E felony.

It’s a home cooked drug also can be known as “meth,” "speed,” "chalk” "ice," "crystal," "glass," and "Tina." clear chunky crystals that are inhaled by smoking. [|methamphetamine]
 * SPEED **
 * Definition- **

The Meth Act toughens criminal offenses from a Class E felony to a Class B felony
 * Possession of speed- **

Class D felony The law closes the “personal-use loophole” that provided lighter sentences for a person who manufactured meth for personal use versus a person with the intention to sell. Methamphetamine - As introduced provides that possession of more than 20 grams of meth precursor within a 30-day period is prima facie evidence of intent to promote meth manufacture.
 * Manufacturing meth- **

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Possession or casual exchange of less than .5 oz.: Class A misdemeanor unless adult to minor and adult is 2 yrs. the minor's senior, then felony; Subsequent offense: If two or more prior convictions: Class E felony; Less than .5 grams is a Class C felony, may be fined up to $100,000; Class B:.5 grams or less if injury or death occurrence or defendant was in possession of deadly weapon.
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; letter-spacing: 0.5pt; line-height: 115%;">HEROIN **
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Possession of heroin- **

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Class B felony and/or $100,000; Over 15 g.: Class B felony and/or $200,000; Over 150 g.: Class A felony and/or $500,000; Sale to minor under 18 or in drug-free school zone: one class higher than amount required; Minimum penalty amounts: 1st drug felony: $2000; 2nd: $2500; 3rd: $3000 <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">[]
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Sale of heroin- **

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Ecstasy produces a euphoric high that lasts from 3 to 4 hours by generating a rush of serotonin and a smaller amount of dopamine, the brain messenger molecules that help to regulate mood. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerve cells (neurons) use to communicate with other. People who are depressed don't seem to make enough serotonin, and drugs like Prozac and Paxil increase the amount of it in the brain <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">[]
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">ECSTASY **
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Definition- **

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The charges 1- 4 would be a misdemeanor if caught with ecstasy, but for a class A charge it would be a felony.
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Possession of ecstasy- **

<span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The most commonly abused prescription drugs fall into three general classes: opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants and stimulants. Each class acts on the body in different ways, creating different effects. When the drug is taken properly under the supervision of a physician, these effects serve no significant detriment or risk of addiction to those who need them. However, irresponsible use, given the potentially pleasant effects of these drugs, increases the risk dramatically. (prescription drugs: Vicodin (hydrocodone) )
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">PRESCRIPTION DRUGS **
 * <span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Definition on prescription drug usage- **

Of particularly concern is the marked increase in new users during the past decade. Since 1990, the number of new nonmedical users of prescription drugs has increased from 573,000 to approximately 2.5 million. Of additional concern is the rate of prescription drug abuse among youth. Although the NSDUH indicated decreases in youth current use of marijuana (a 30 percent decrease from 2002 to 2003), LSD (54 percent) and ecstasy (41 percent), it noted an increase in current prescription drug misuse by youth (15 percent). The 2004 Monitoring the Future Survey from the National Institute of Drug Abuse also indicated a high level of prescription drug abuse among youth, with Vicodin® registering annual use by 2.5 percent of eighth graders, 6.2 percent of 10th graders and 9.3 percent of 12th graders. Oxycontin® registered at 1.7 percent, 3.5 percent and 5 percent of the same age groups, respectively. Correlative to the NSDUH, the Monitoring the Future Survey notes drops in lifetime, annual and current (previous 30-day) use of any illicit drug among the eighth, 10th and 12th graders, making the increase in prescription drug abuse among this segment of the population of greater concern. An additional indicator of the scope of any form of drug abuse is emergency department (ED) admissions. The 2002 Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) noted a 160 percent increase from 1995 to 2002 in ED admissions that mentioned hydrocodone combinations, 176 percent for methadone and 560 percent for oxycodone alone and in combination with other substances. The 2002 DAWN also noted increases among several central nervous system depressants. By the end of the reporting period, mentions of prescription drug misuse in ED admissions ranked third, behind only alcohol and cocaine.