Caught With Tranquilizers in Asheville, NC: What Are My Penalties?

According to a recent North Carolina Drug Control Update, a significant number of people receive treatment for the abuse of tranquilizers each year. Common examples of tranquilizers include ketamine and xylazine. Are drugs like these illegal in North Carolina? What kinds of penalties could you expect if you’re caught with illegal tranquilizers? Could a North Carolina drug defense attorney help in this situation?

Which Tranquilizers Are Legal in North Carolina?

Various drugs fall into the general category of “tranquilizers.” These include ketamine, xylazine, lorazepam, and barbiturates. Some of these drugs are legal to possess in North Carolina under certain circumstances. Others are not.

Perhaps the most obvious example of a tranquilizer that is currently seeing widespread abuse is ketamine. This has been a common street drug for quite some time, and it is classified as a Schedule III drug in North Carolina. Although Schedule III drugs do not have the same penalties as “harder” drugs like fentanyl and heroin, they can nonetheless lead to serious consequences.

Ketamine and other Schedule III drugs in North Carolina may lead to a Class 1 misdemeanor charge for simple possession. The maximum penalty someone could face for simple ketamine possession is 45 days in jail. However, heightened penalties may apply if you commit repeated offenses or there is reason to believe you were selling the drugs. If you have a certain quantity of ketamine in your possession, the court may assume that you intended to sell the drugs to other people.

Barbiturates and other types of tranquilizers may be illegal or legal depending on the circumstances. First, prescription drugs are only legal if you have a valid prescription for them. If you are in possession of prescription drugs without a valid medical reason, you could face drug charges in North Carolina. This may apply to certain types of barbiturates, lorazepam, and many other types of prescription tranquilizers.

Xylazine is an interesting and unique case. Multiple sources state that xylazine is completely legal in the United States, and it is not (yet) a controlled substance under North Carolina law. This drug is also becoming increasingly popular in North Carolina, perhaps due to its vague legal status.

As of this writing, you should not face charges if you are caught with xylazine. However, you may still face criminal consequences if your xylazine is mixed with illegal substances, such as fentanyl.

Can a North Carolina Drug Defense Attorney Help Me?

Although some tranquilizers are perfectly legal in North Carolina, the possession of some of these drugs will lead to significant consequences. In order to understand your potential consequences, you might want to speak with a drug defense attorney in Asheville, NC. These legal professionals can determine whether your tranquilizers are illegal, and they can also guide you toward an appropriate defense strategy. Contact The Pritchard Firm today for more information.

Sources:

 obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/docs/state_profile_-_north_carolina.pdf

dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine