{"id":372263,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-cocaine-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-06-13T14:08:05","modified_gmt":"2025-06-13T19:08:05","slug":"district-of-columbia-cocaine-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-cocaine-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Cocaine Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Cocaine Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Cocaine is one of a handful of controlled substances that plague our communities today. People use cocaine because it gives them a ton of energy and has a euphoric effect. However, cocaine and crack cocaine cause adverse physical effects, such as a dangerous increase in heart rate and blood pressure.<\/p>\r\n

Given the dangerous nature of this controlled substance, it should come as no surprise that there are state and federal laws prohibiting the possession and distribution of cocaine<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

As with any other drug-related crime, a conviction for the sale or possession of cocaine, even for personal use, will result in fines and possible jail time. The penalties for these drug crimes<\/a> are severe. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to familiarize yourself with D.C. law if you\u2019re facing charges for a drug offense.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains the cocaine laws in Washington, D.C., including the penalties for these criminal offenses. Read on to become well-versed in what you need to know.<\/p>\r\n

Classification of Cocaine as a Schedule II Drug<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Drug Enforcement Agency<\/a> classifies all drugs based on whether there\u2019s an accepted medical use for the drug and whether there\u2019s a high potential for abuse. There are five separate categories<\/a> of drugs.<\/p>\r\n

According to the DEA, all drugs, including abusive drugs, fall into one of the following classes<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n