Each drug in North Carolina is categorized in a Schedule. Schedule I drugs are the most serious. In addition, North Carolina has a chart to determine mandatory minimums in drug trafficking cases. Here are the charts that may apply if you are accused of a drug possession, drug trafficking, or other drug related crime.
| Schedule I Has a high potential for abuse. Has no medical use. Has a lack of accepted safety. | Heroin Ecstasy GHB Methaqualone Peyote Opiates (and others) | First Offense Class I Felony 4-5 Months | Table Cell |
| Schedule II Has a high potential for abuse. Has accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to physical or psychological dependence. | Cocaine Raw Opium Opium Extracts, Fluid and Powder Codeine Hydrocodone Morphine Methadone Methamphetamine Ritalin (and others) | First Offense Class 1 Misdemeanor 45 Days in Jail | Second Offense Class I Felony 4-5 Months |
| Schedule III Has potential for abuse, but less than Schedule I or II substances. Has an accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence. | Ketamine Anabolic Steroids Some Barbituates (and others) | First Offense Class 1 Misdemeanor 45 Days in Jail | Second Offense Class I Felony 4-5 Months |
| Schedule IV Has a low potential for abuse. Has an accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence. | Valium Xanax Rohypnol Darvon Clonazepam (and others) | First Offense Class 1 Misdemeanor 45 Days in Jail | Second Offense Class I Felony 4-5 Months |
| Schedule V Has a low potential for abuse. Has an accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence. | Over the counter cough medicines with codeine (and others) | First Offense Class 2 Misdemeanor 30 Days in Jail | Second Offense Class 1 Misdemeanor 45 Days in Jail |
| Schedule VI Has a low potential for abuse. Has no accepted medical use. Abuse may lead to limited dependence. | Marijuana Hashish Hashish Oil | First Offense Class 3 Misdemeanor 10 Days in Jail or Suspended Sentence | Second Offense Class 2 Misdemeanor 30 Days in Jail |
Illegal Trafficking Penalties:
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| Heroin |
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| Cocaine |
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| Metham- phetamines |
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