Drug Charges

Pennsylvania is known for enforcing strict penalties for drug possession. The exact penalty enacted on you will vary depending on the quantity and type of drug in question. Other factors, such as the presence of prior crimes and the area of any alleged distribution are also taken into account. 

If you have been caught with drugs, you are entitled to hiring a lawyer for legal assistance. Top Pittsburgh lawyer Robert Disney can provide superior legal help and advice. 

Overview of Drug Charges in Pittsburgh

Possible Penalties for Drug Possession

Punishments for drug possession in PA are some of the strictest in the country. You can receive several years in jails and a fine of up to $25,000. These punishments will vary depending on the type of drug you are caught with and if you have had any past misdemeanors. 

Drugs are sorted into five different classes:

• Narcotics such as heroin and Fentanyl
• Depressants like the “date rape” drug Rohypnol
• Stimulants such as cocaine and meth
• Hallucinogens including shrooms and acid
• Anabolic steroids 

Possession of heroin, oxycodone, methadone, and LSD has a maximum fine of $250,000 and incarceration length of 15 years. 

Possession of Marijuana in PA & Pittsburgh

In certain parts of PA, including Pittsburgh, the possession of small amounts of marijuana has been decriminalized. This means that someone found to be in possession of around an ounce of marijuana will only be charged with a $100 fine. However, if you are found carrying more than this, you can receive a hefty fine and even prison time. 

Selling or Distributing Marijuana

The sale or distribution of marijuana is seen as more serious than mere possession in Pennsylvania. The first distinction is whether a person receives money in exchange for the sale of marijuana or if it is given as a gift. Giving 30 grams or less of marijuana to another person without compensation is a misdemeanor offense, with penalties including up to 30 days in jail and a fine up to $500. 

However, the consequences get much more severe if payment is exchanged for the sale and distribution of marijuana to another person. The sale of any amount of marijuana under 1,000 pounds in Pennsylvania is considered a felony offense. First time conviction can include penalties of up to three years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Subsequent convictions for this offense elevate the fines up to $25,000 in addition to a prison term.

Marijuana for Legal Purposes

The use of marijuana for medical reasons has also been enacted by Governor Tom Wolf. Patients may use marijuana to provide relief from a number of different health issues such as:

• Severe chronic pain
• Epilepsy
• HIV
• Parkinson’s disease
• Sickle cell anemia
• Terminal illness
• Huntington’s disease

If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug offense, call or text Robert Disney at 412-999-5765 today to schedule a case consultation and learn more about your legal options.