{"id":373528,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:21","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-cocaine-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-10-28T13:32:29","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T18:32:29","slug":"kentucky-cocaine-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/kentucky-law\/kentucky-cocaine-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky Cocaine Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Kentucky Cocaine Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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

Drug abuse remains a problem across the country. Like every other state, Kentucky law criminalizes the possession<\/a>, sale, and distribution (trafficking<\/a>) of cocaine. Despite this, cocaine possession and cocaine trafficking are still commonplace in Kentucky.<\/p>\r\n

Kentucky law doesn\u2019t differentiate between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. If law enforcement catches you with a large quantity of cocaine-based drugs, you\u2019ll go to jail. Depending on how much of the drug you have on you at the time of your arrest, you could face serious criminal charges.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll explain Kentucky\u2019s cocaine laws, including the penalties and defenses for these drug crimes. If you’re facing cocaine charges, consult a local criminal defense attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding Possession of Cocaine Laws<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Kentucky lawmakers are serious about all drug crimes. Whether the police arrest you for possession of cocaine, methamphetamine, or some other controlled substance, you\u2019ll likely face felony charges. Not all drug crimes are felonies. For example, under Kentucky drug laws, second-degree drug possession is a Class A misdemeanor<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Most drug offenses in Kentucky are felonies. If the police find out you\u2019re selling illegal drugs such as cocaine or fentanyl, you can expect to go to prison for a long time. When it comes to drug trafficking in Kentucky, the criminal penalties depend on the quantity of cocaine you have on you and whether you have prior drug convictions. They also depend on the type of drugs law enforcement catches you with.<\/p>\r\n

Cocaine and Drug Schedules<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Under both federal law and state law, the penalties for drug offenses depend on the type of drug you\u2019re dealing with. The penalties for marijuana possession are less severe than they are for cocaine possession.<\/p>\r\n

When determining the charges, the state will examine the type of drugs your case involves. They will defer to the DEA\u2019s classification of drugs<\/a>, which includes the following:<\/p>\r\n