Drug Crime Law and Legal Definition
Drug crime is the umbrella term used to describe different offenses involving controlled substances. Each state and the federal government have enacted laws against unlawful possession, use, distribution, or production of certain drugs. These include cocaine, heroin, marijuana and amphetamines. Such legislations aim to reduce illegal drug use, and reduce drug related crimes.
Drugs are classified into five categories or schedules based on their potential for dependency and abuse as compared with their therapeutic value. Schedule I controlled substances have the highest potential for dependency and does not have any accepted medical use. And, schedule V drugs have low potential for dependency and accepted medical uses.
Producing, selling, and manufacturing controlled substances illegally are considered drug crimes. Drug crime punishments are based on the quantity of the drug possessed, its classification under the schedules, and the purpose of possession.
Legal Definition list
Related Legal Terms
- Abbreviated Drug Application
- Abbreviated New Drug Applications [ANDA]
- Accidental Radiation Occurrence [Food and Drugs]
- Addictive Drug
- Adverse Drug Experience
- AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
- Animal Drug Availability Act
- Animal Drug Product [Food and Drugs]
- Animal Drug User Fee Act of 2003 [ADUFA]
- Anti-Drug Abuse Act
