{"id":372878,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-heroin-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-25T13:59:44","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T18:59:44","slug":"hawaii-heroin-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/hawaii-law\/hawaii-heroin-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Hawaii Heroin Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hawaii Heroin 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

There are federal laws against the use, possession, and distribution of dangerous drugs. State laws<\/a> also address the issue. Given the opioid epidemic that has plagued our country for the last decade, it should come as no surprise that Hawaii law imposes harsh penalties for drug offenders.<\/p>\r\n

Whether you live in Honolulu or are visiting from Los Angeles, California, you should know Hawaii\u2019s drug laws. If law enforcement catches you with heroin or related drug paraphernalia<\/a>, they\u2019ll arrest you. You could face a felony charge.<\/p>\r\n

Hawaii laws treat possession of heroin with more severity than possession of marijuana or cannabis. If the police find a small amount of marijuana or another Schedule V drug<\/a>, you\u2019ll face petty misdemeanor charges. With heroin on your person or in your car, you could be looking at up to 20 years in prison. It depends on how much of the drug you have on you at the time of your arrest.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll explain how Hawaii\u2019s drug laws work and what the penalties are for heroin-related offenses. We will also briefly discuss the other drugs that are illegal in the State of Hawaii.<\/p>\r\n

The Dangers of Heroin<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Under the Drug Enforcement Administration\u2019s (DEA) drug classification schedule<\/a>, there are five categories of drugs. Schedule I includes drugs that have no medical use and a high risk of abuse and dependence. Heroin is a Schedule I substance, as are hashish, fentanyl, LSD, and ecstasy.<\/p>\r\n

Schedule I drugs<\/a> face strict sanctions because they carry a high potential for physical dependence and drug abuse. It doesn\u2019t take long for people to become dependent and addicted to heroin. Schedule I substances are also dangerous. This is why law enforcement agencies work hard to enforce Hawaii\u2019s heroin laws.<\/p>\r\n

Heroin Statutes in Hawaii<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Possession and distribution of heroin qualify as felonies under Hawaii law. Below, you\u2019ll find the various charges and penalties imposed by Hawaii’s heroin laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Hawaii Heroin Law Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Hawaii Rev. Stat.<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Hawaii Heroin Possession Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Hawaii Heroin Sale\/Trafficking Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n