UNDERSTANDING IOWA’S DRUG LAWS
UNDERSTANDING IOWA’S DRUG LAWS
Iowa, like the federal government still engages in an inexplicable drug war that severely criminalizes possession even if for personal use. Iowa drug law mirrors the Federal Controlled Substances Act. Possession of many narcotics are illegal, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD PCP, and failing to have a valid prescription for medications.
Iowa law provides for harsh consequences for the manufacturing, selling or possession of large quantities of controlled substances.
DRUG CRIME PENALTIES
Enhanced Class B Felony
Consists of:
- Imprisonment for not more than 50 years and a fine of not more than $1,000,000.00.
Methamphetamine exception: Probation is not an option for methamphetamine offense, prison sentence is mandatory.
Must serve a minimum of 1/3 of the 50-year sentence before being eligible for parole, if sentenced to prison.
Marijuana 1000 kilograms Methamphetamine 5 Kilograms Cocaine 500 grams Crack 10-50 grams
Class B Felony
- Imprisonment for not more than 25 years and a fine of not more than $100,000.00. Minimum fine of $5,000.
- Methamphetamine exception: Probation is not an option for methamphetamine offense, prison sentence is mandatory.
- Must serve a minimum of 1/3 of the 25-year sentence before being eligible for parole, if sentenced to prison.
Marijuana 100-1000 kilograms Methamphetamine 5 Kilograms Cocaine 100-500 grams Crack 10-50 grams
Class C Felony
- Imprisonment for not more than 10 years and a fine of not more than $50,000.00. Minimum fine of $1,000.
- Probation is an option for all first-time offenders.
- Methamphetamine exception: If conviction is a second or subsequent conviction, probation is not an option, prison is mandatory.
- Must serve a minimum of 1/3 of the 10-year sentence before being eligible for parole, if sentenced to prison unless the court waives the mandatory minimum on a first conviction and for mitigating circumstances.
- If defendant pleads guilty and “accepts responsibility” the court may reduce the mandatory minimum sentence by 1/3.
Marijuana 50-1000 kilograms Methamphetamine 5 grams or less Cocaine 100 grams or less Crack 10 grams or less
Class D Felony
- 50 Kilograms or less of Marijuana. Imprisonment for not more than 5 years and a fine of not more than $7,500.00. No mandatory sentences.