Maine criminal charge
Unlawful possession of scheduled drugs in Maine
Unlawful possession of scheduled drugs is a criminal offense under Maine law, defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A. Its classification is not fixed: Maine assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A.
What is the penalty for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs in Maine?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Schedule W drug (general) — Possession of a schedule W drug not falling under paragraphs A, B, or B-1.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $2,000 (Schedule W drug (general) — Possession of a schedule W drug not falling under paragraphs A, B, or B-1.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Schedule X drug — Possession of a schedule X drug.; the statutory maximum is 'less than one year' (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(D)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $2,000 (Schedule X drug — Possession of a schedule X drug.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(4)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Schedule Y drug — Possession of a schedule Y drug.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Schedule Y drug — Possession of a schedule Y drug.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Schedule Z drug (non-marijuana) — Possession of a schedule Z drug that is not marijuana.; statutory default maximum (17-A M.R.S. §1604(1)(E)); individual statutes may specify a different maximum) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Schedule Z drug (non-marijuana) — Possession of a schedule Z drug that is not marijuana.; maximum for an individual (17-A M.R.S. §1704(5)); organizations up to $10,000 (§1705); statute-specific fines may differ) | discretionary | 17-A M.R.S. § 1604 |
Applies to current (PL 2019, c. 113 recodification).
How is unlawful possession of scheduled drugs classified in Maine?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule W drug (general) | Class D Crime | Possession of a schedule W drug not falling under paragraphs A, B, or B-1. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(C) |
| Schedule X drug | Class D Crime | Possession of a schedule X drug. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(D) |
| Schedule Y drug | Class E Crime | Possession of a schedule Y drug. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(E) |
| Schedule Z drug (non-marijuana) | Class E Crime | Possession of a schedule Z drug that is not marijuana. | 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(F) |
Common questions about unlawful possession of scheduled drugs in Maine
What class of crime is unlawful possession of scheduled drugs in Maine?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful possession of scheduled drugs ranges from a Class E Crime to a Class D Crime in Maine under 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A.
Schedule W drug (general): Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(C)) · Schedule X drug: Class D Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(D)) · Schedule Y drug: Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(E)) · Schedule Z drug (non-marijuana): Class E Crime (17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A(1)(F))
What are the penalties for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs in Maine?
Penalties for unlawful possession of scheduled drugs in Maine depend on how it is classified — from a Class E Crime up to a Class D Crime — with the ranges set by 17-A M.R.S. § 1604; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Maine statute covers unlawful possession of scheduled drugs?
Unlawful possession of scheduled drugs is governed by 17-A M.R.S. § 1107-A (Unlawful possession of scheduled drugs).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.