2013 Maine Revised Statutes
TITLE 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE
Chapter 45: DRUGS
17-A §1107-A. Unlawful possession of scheduled drugs

Part 2: SUBSTANTIVE OFFENSES

1107-A. Unlawful possession of scheduled drugs

1. Except as provided in subsection 2, a person is guilty of unlawful possession of a scheduled drug if the person intentionally or knowingly possesses what that person knows or believes to be a scheduled drug, which is in fact a scheduled drug, and the drug is:

A. A schedule W drug that is:

(1) Cocaine and the quantity possessed is more than 14 grams;

(2) Cocaine in the form of cocaine base and the quantity possessed is more than 4 grams; or

(3) Methamphetamine and the quantity possessed is more than 14 grams.

Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime; [2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF).]

B. A schedule W drug that contains:

(1) Heroin (diacetylmorphine);

(2) Cocaine in the form of cocaine base and at the time of the offense the person has one or more prior convictions for any offense under this chapter or for engaging in substantially similar conduct to that of the Maine offenses under this chapter in another jurisdiction. For the purposes of this paragraph, a person has been convicted of an offense on the date the judgment of conviction was entered by the court;

(3) Methamphetamine;

(4) Oxycodone;

(5) Hydrocodone; or

(6) Hydromorphone.

Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime; [2007, c. 476, 43 (AMD).]

C. A schedule W drug, except as provided in paragraphs A and B. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; [2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF).]

D. A schedule X drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; [2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF).]

E. A schedule Y drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime; or [2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF).]

F. A schedule Z drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class E crime unless the drug is marijuana, in which case a violation of this paragraph is:

(1) For possession of over 2 1/2 ounces to 8 ounces of marijuana, a Class E crime;

(2) For possession of over 8 ounces to 16 ounces of marijuana, a Class D crime;

(3) For possession of over one pound to 20 pounds of marijuana, a Class C crime; and

(4) For possession of over 20 pounds of marijuana, a Class B crime. [2009, c. 67, 2 (AMD).]

[ 2009, c. 67, 2 (AMD) .]

2. A person is not guilty of unlawful possession of a scheduled drug if the conduct that constitutes the possession is expressly:

A. Authorized by Title 22 or Title 32; or [2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF).]

B. Made a civil violation by Title 22. [2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF).]

[ 2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW); 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF) .]

3. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that:

A. The substance possessed is industrial hemp; or [2005, c. 430, 4 (NEW); 2005, c. 430, 10 (AFF).]

B. The substance possessed is a methamphetamine precursor drug and was possessed by the defendant for a legitimate medical purpose. [2005, c. 430, 4 (NEW); 2005, c. 430, 10 (AFF).]

[ 2005, c. 430, 10 (AFF); 2005, c. 430, 4 (RPR) .]

4. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under subsection 1, paragraph B, subparagraphs (3) to (6) and paragraphs C to F that the person possessed a valid prescription for the scheduled drug or controlled substance that is the basis for the charge and that, at all times, the person intended the drug to be used only for legitimate medical use in conformity with the instructions provided by the prescriber and dispenser.

[ 2011, c. 464, 19 (AMD) .]

5. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the substance furnished is:

A. Industrial hemp; or [2007, c. 346, Pt. B, 2 (NEW).]

B. A residual amount of any scheduled drug that is contained in one or more hypodermic apparatuses if the person is enrolled in a hypodermic apparatus exchange program that is certified by the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and is transporting the hypodermic apparatuses to the program. [2007, c. 346, Pt. B, 2 (NEW).]

[ 2007, c. 346, Pt. B, 2 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2001, c. 383, 127 (NEW). 2001, c. 383, 156 (AFF). 2003, c. 61, 7 (AMD). 2005, c. 252, 1 (AMD). 2005, c. 430, 4 (AMD). 2005, c. 430, 10 (AFF). 2005, c. 442, 1 (AMD). 2007, c. 55, 2 (AMD). 2007, c. 346, Pt. B, 2 (AMD). 2007, c. 476, 43 (AMD). 2009, c. 67, 2 (AMD). 2011, c. 464, 19 (AMD).