Types of Drugs and Their Risks

Schedule I

Heroin, LSD, Peyote, Mescaline, Psilocybin (Shrooms), Other Hallucinogens, Methaqualone (Quaaludes) Phencyclidine (PCP), and MDA

Health Risks
Psychologically and physically addictive; depression, withdrawal symptoms, convulsions, death, unpredictable behavior with hallucinogens; possible damage to unborn fetus.

To Possess: Maximum Penalty:
Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

To Possess With Intent to Sell or Deliver; To Manufacture; or to Sell, and/or Deliver:
Maximum Penalty: Ten (10) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

Schedule II

Morphine, Demerol, Codeine, Percodan, Percocet, Fentanyl, Dilaudid, Secondal, Nembutal, Cocaine, Amphetamines, and other opium and opium extracts and narcotics.

Health Risks
Psychologically and physically addictive; withdrawal symptoms, convulsions, respiratory failure, frequent accidents; possible damage to unborn fetus; death; cocaine and amphetamines increase blood pressure which can lead to irregular heartbeat and death; amphetamines can cause agitation, increase in body temperature, hallucinations, convulsions, possible death.

North Carolina Laws—To Possess; Maximum Penalty:
Two (2) years in prison and/or $2,000 fine (Misdemeanor) UNLESS

  1. Exceeds (4) tablets, capsules, other dosage units or equivalent quantity of Hydromorphone
  2. Exceeds (100) tablets, capsules, other dosage units or equivalent quantity
  3. One gram or more of Cocaine. Maximum Penalty: Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

To Possess With Intent to Sell or Deliver; To Manufacture; or to Sell, and/or Deliver:
Maximum Penalty: Ten (10) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

Schedule III

Certain barbiturates such as amobarbitol and codeine containing medicine such as Fiorinal #3, Doriden, Tylenol #3, Empirin #3, and codeine-based cough suppressants such as Tussionex and Hycomine.

Health Risks
Psychologically and physically addictive; potential liver damage, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, disorientation, shallow breathing, cold and clammy skin, coma, possible death; withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, tremors, insomnia, convulsions, possible damage to unborn fetus.

North Carolina Laws—To Possess; Maximum Penalty:
To possess less than (100) tablets, capsules, other dosage units or equivalent quantity:
Two (2) years in prison and/or fine (Misdemeanor).

To Possess With Intent to Sell or Deliver; To Manufacture; or to Sell, and/or Deliver:
Maximum Penalty: Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

Schedule IV

Barbiturates, narcotics and stimulants including Valium, Talwin, Librium, Equanil, Darvon, Darvocet, Placidyl, Tranzene, Serax, Ionamin (yellow jackets).

Health Risks
Psychologically and physically addictive; drowsiness, withdrawal symptoms, tremors, abdominal and muscle cramps, insomnia, anxiety, convulsions, possible death; possible damage to unborn fetus.

North Carolina Laws—To Possess; Maximum Penalty:
To possess less than (100) tablets, capsules, other dosage units or equivalent quantity:
Two (2) years in prison and/or fine (Misdemeanor).

To Possess With Intent to Sell or Deliver; To Manufacture; or to Sell, and/or Deliver:
Maximum Penalty: Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

Schedule V

Compounds that contain very limited amounts of codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine, opium, and atropine, such as Terpine Hydrate with codeine, Robitussin AC.

Health Risks
Psychologically and physically addictive; nausea, gastrointestinal symptoms, drowsiness, withdrawal symptoms. including runny nose, watery eyes, panic, chills, cramps, irritability, nausea; possible damage to unborn fetus.

North Carolina Laws—To Possess; Maximum Penalty:
Six (6) months in prison and/or fine. (Misdemeanor)

To Possess With Intent to Sell or Deliver; To Manufacture; or to Sell, and/or Deliver:
Maximum Penalty: Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

Schedule VI

Marijuana, THC, Hashish,Hash Oil, Tetrahydrocannabinol

Health Risks
Psychologically addictive; increased risk of lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema; contributes to heart disease, fatigue, paranoia, possible psychosis; withdrawal symptoms including insomnia, hyperactivity and decreased appetite; depression of the immune system; decreased sperm count in men and irregular ovulation in women.

North Carolina Laws—To Possess; Maximum Penalty:
To possess less than 1/2 ounce of Marijuana or 1/20 ounce Hashish: Thirty (30) days in prison and/or $100 fine (Misdemeanor).
To possess more than 1/2 ounce of Marijuana or 3/20 ounce of Hashish or consists of any quantity of synthetic Tetrahydrocannabinols or synthetic Tetrahydrocannabinols or Tetrahydrocannabinols isolated from the resin of Marijuana; Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).

To Possess With Intent to Sell or Deliver; To Manufacture; or to Sell, and/or Deliver:
Maximum Penalty: Five (5) years in prison and/or fine (Felony).