Learn about Methamphetamine use, dangers, and penalties for possession of methamphetamine for sale in the state Of Arizona.
Methamphetamine use is a substantial U.S. public health concern. Approximately 1.6 million adults, on average, use methamphetamine each year, and nearly 25% of those report injecting methamphetamine. Federal and state laws for drug possession make it a crime to willfully possess illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, "club drugs," and heroin. Drug sales are considered felony offenses, whereas drug possession without the intent to sell may only be a misdemeanor.
Methamphetamine is a prescription stimulant that speeds up the body’s system. It comes as a pill or powder and is highly addictive. Crystal meth resembles glass fragments and is an illegally altered version of the prescription drug cooked with over-the-counter drugs in meth labs.
Methamphetamine is introduced into the body by being snorted, smoked, ingested orally or rectally, and injected. Since methamphetamines are synthetic, many variations are produced, and it is referred to by numerous street names such as speed, crank, ice, meth, shards, Tweak, Chalk, and crystal. The U.S. DEA classifies methamphetamine as a Schedule II stimulant.
Methamphetamine has the ability to rapidly release high levels of dopamine in reward areas of the brain. Its use can result in many of the same health impacts as those of other stimulants such as cocaine, including increased wakefulness and physical activity, decreased appetite, faster breathing, irregular heartbeat, and increased blood pressure and body temperature. Long-term methamphetamine use may also lead to or exacerbate the following symptoms and conditions:
Under Arizona Drug Law A.R.S. 13-3408, a person is prohibited from knowingly possessing, using, acquiring, selling, manufacturing, or transporting Methamphetamine.
Possession
A Schedule II drug, like Methamphetamines, is a controlled substance. If you are caught illegally possessing Methamphetamines, it is a felony. The sentencing amount of prison time and fines a person receives depends on how much Meth they have in their possession. Possession could result in sentencing of up to three years in prison and fines between $1,000 and $250,000.
In the state of Arizona:
Possessing up to 9 grams is a Level 4 Felony, which carries a prison sentence between 1.5 and 3.75 years and fines up to $1,000.
Unlike a first-time conviction for marijuana or narcotic drugs, you can receive a jail term as a condition of a first-time conviction for any meth-related offense.
Even if a person did not intend to sell drugs, they would be presumed to be selling drugs if they have over a certain amount of the drug in their possession.
Possession with Intent to Sell
Possessing drugs with the intention to sell is a criminal charge for the sale or attempted sale of an illegal controlled substance. Generally, the penalties for drug sale are determined by:
Federal law mandates a prison term of at least five years for anyone convicted, even a first-time conviction, of possessing 5 grams of meth with the intent to distribute it.
In Arizona:
Possession with the intent to sell up to 9 grams of meth is a class 2 felony, which would carry a sentence of up between five to fifteen years in prison and $1,000 or a fine of three times the substance’s value (whichever is greater).
Drug Trafficking
A person charged with methamphetamine trafficking can be subject to federal penalties as well as state penalties. Federal law mandates a minimum sentence of at least ten years in prison for possessing 50 grams for distribution purposes.
In Arizona, drug trafficking is a Class 2 felony, which carries a sentence between five to fifteen years of prison time and a fine of three times the value of the substance.
Prosecutors often use some or all of the following to establish an intent to distribute or traffick:
Consequences in your personal life
A felony conviction for drug possession or drug sales or trafficking will wreak havoc on your life. You could lose public benefits such as student loans, scholarships, tuition, welfare public housing, or subsidies. You may be unable to obtain housing or employment. Your immigration status, professional license, or parental custodial or visitation rights could be revoked.
Drug possession for personal use, sale, or trafficking is serious felony offenses in Arizona. If you face methamphetamine drug charges, you will want the services of an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney.