Miami Drug Crime Lawyer

The passage of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in 1970 classified illegal drugs under federal law by creating five schedules for controlled substances. Florida’s own schedules for controlled substances, established under Florida Statute § 893.03, largely mirror the federal classifications. The schedule that a drug falls under can play an important role in the severity of the criminal charges.

Florida’s five drug schedules are defined as follows:

• Schedule I: Substances with a high potential for abuse, having no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and in their use under medical supervision does not meet accepted safety standards. Examples include heroin, cannabis (marijuana), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy).
• Schedule II: Substances with a high potential for abuse, having currently accepted but severely restricted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of the substances may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence. Examples include cocaine, methamphetamine, opium, and hydrocodone.
• Schedule III: Substances with a potential for abuse less than the substances contained in Schedules I and II, having currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of the substances may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence or, in the case of anabolic steroids, may lead to physical damage. Examples include anabolic steroids, nalorphine, ketamine, and dronabinol (synthetic tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]).
• Schedule IV: Substances with a low potential for abuse relative to the substances in Schedule III, having currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of the substances may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the substances in Schedule III. Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).

• Schedule V: Substances with a low potential for abuse relative to the substances in Schedule IV, having currently accepted medical uses in treatment in the United States, and abuse of such compounds, mixtures, or preparations may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to the substances in Schedule IV. Examples include materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing buprenorphine or pyrovalerone as well as compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing limited quantities of codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine, diphenoxylate, or opium.

Why Call Our Firm?

Your freedom is the most important priority once you are arrested. At The Hoffman Firm, we have decades of experience helping our clients plan an effective defense and execute a strong strategy in the face of serious charges. As a former prosecutor, Evan Hoffman understands the tactics used by prosecutors to secure convictions. He is on your side and has helped thousands of clients obtain favorable outcomes for their situations.

Call 305-249-0090 if your case is out of Miami, 954-524-4474 if your case is out of Broward County, now to meet with us during a free consultation. Serving clients in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.