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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 220.21 — Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 220: Controlled Substances Offenses, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 220.21

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 220.21Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
220.21 Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree. A person is guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses: 1. one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances containing a narcotic drug and said preparations, compounds, mixtures or substances are of an aggregate weight of eight ounces or more; or 2. methadone and said methadone weighs five thousand seven hundred sixty milligrams or more. Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree is a class A-I felony.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of felony is criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree in New York?

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree is a Class A-I Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 220.21.

Which New York statute covers criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree?

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 220.21 (Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.