Cocaine is perhaps best known as a street drug and illegal drug, but did you know that it has medical uses? There are times when people, including yourself, may have this drug in their possession for good reason. You could be transporting it for your job or have it in your system due to a legitimate medical procedure.
Cocaine is used for several common medical applications, such as for anesthesia during nasal surgery or when testing for Horner’s syndrome. The quantities used in these cases are not designed to get someone high or to impair them, but they will have an impact on their bodies.
Schedule II drug classifications
Since cocaine has medical purposes, it is classified as a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Drugs that are classified as Schedule II drugs do have a high risk of causing addiction, but they are still used and appropriate for some medical applications.
Penalties for possessing cocaine in Tennessee
There are some significant penalties for possessing cocaine in Tennessee even though the drug potentially has legitimate purposes. If you are caught with cocaine and are not using it for medical reasons or aren’t in possession for legitimate reasons, then you could face penalties such as a Class A misdemeanor for the casual exchange of cocaine from yourself to another adult or a fine of up to $100,000 for possessing less than .5 grams.
Selling cocaine leads to more significant penalties under most circumstances. For a first-time drug felony for selling cocaine, for example, the minimum fine is $2,000. Selling any amount of cocaine may lead to a Class C felony, and that level goes up to a Class B felony if the sale is completed in a drug-free school zone or involves a minor under the age of 18.
These are a few things to keep in mind about cocaine in Tennessee. If you’re accused of a crime when you have this drug in your possession legally, you can defend against these penalties. Even if you are caught with illegal substances, you deserve the opportunity to defend yourself and your rights.
