Arizona Drug Laws Are Some Of The Toughest In The Nation

Despite a trend toward relaxing penalties related to certain drugs throughout much of the United States, Arizona is still known as one of the states with some of the toughest drug laws on the books. Part of this is a general conservative attitude toward drugs in the state, and part of it comes from being a border state that is a prime target for drugs moving across the border with too much regularity.

All of these forces combine to create a severe punishment for anyone who is caught violating Arizona’s drug laws. That means it is imperative to retain the services of an experienced drug crime attorney for even the smallest and most simple of drug related charges.

In Arizona, drugs are divided into six categories, and the type of punishment a person may receive will depend partly on which category of drug is involved. Those categories are:

• Marijuana
• Prescription drugs
• Narcotics
• Peyote
• Substances that release toxic vapors
• Dangerous drugs such as metheamphetamines

In addition, you can also be charged with a drug crime if you possess the compounds used to make any of the aforementioned drugs as well.

The main dividing line in drug charges has to do with marijuana versus all other types of dangerous drugs. Since the legalization of medical marijuana in Arizona, possession laws have become a bit fuzzy, but there are still harsh penalties for possessing larger quantities of the drug, as well as transporting, distributing and manufacturing it as well.

For many other drugs that are classified as dangerous drugs, you can be charged with a Class 4 felony, and depending on the quantity and circumstances, you can be looking at almost four years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000 upon conviction.

There is some leeway in these statutes and sometimes, through a plea bargain, charges and penalties can be negotiated down to lesser charges, but only with the help of a skilled drug crimes attorney.

Ryan Garvey Attorneys proudly serves clients in Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale, Mesa and surrounding Arizona communities