| PENALTIES
UNDER FEDERAL LAW II. FEDERAL STATUTES |
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| OFFENSE | MINIMUM PUNISHMENT | MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT |
| Manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of drugs (including marijuana) | A term of imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of $250,000 or both | A term of life imprisonment without release (no eligibility for parole) and a fine not to exceed $8,000,000 for an individual (or $20,000,000 if other than an individual) |
| Possession of drugs (including marijuana) | Imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of not less than $1,000 or both | Imprisonment for not more than 20 years nor less than five years and a fine of not less than $5,000 plus costs of investigation & prosecution |
| Distribution of drugs to a person under 21 years of age | Double the federal penalty for distribution of drugs | Triple the federal penalty for distribution of drugs |
The federal penalties quoted in these charts are based on language contained in the applicable federal statutes creating criminal offenses regarding controlled substances and are subject to change at any time by Congress and the President. There are additional factors in the federal sentencing guidelines, including various enhancement provisions for prior offenses. Title 21 U.S.C. Section 860 provides that the federal statutory penalties double (and in some cases triple) when a controlled substance is distributed (or even possessed with intent to distribute) within 1000 feet of a school or a public university. |
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