{"id":373984,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-heroin-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-31T15:35:11","modified_gmt":"2024-12-31T20:35:11","slug":"massachusetts-heroin-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-heroin-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Heroin Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Heroin Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, 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

In Massachusetts, the unlawful possession of opiates and opioids, like heroin and fentanyl, can land a person in prison for many years. Even possessing prescription opioids and opiates, like Oxycodone or Percocet, can lead to imprisonment and thousands of dollars in fines if the person does not have a valid prescription for the drug.<\/p>\r\n

Opioids and opiates are often described as painkillers or pain relievers. Physicians prescribe them after surgery or to people recovering from serious injuries. In general, opioids and opiates decrease pain and create a sense of euphoria<\/a>. At high enough doses, they can slow one\u2019s breathing such that it leads to death.<\/p>\r\n

Many opioids and opiates have a high potential for abuse and addiction. In 2023, over 81,000 people died<\/a> from opioid overdoses in the United States. Those deaths include overdoses from both prescription and non-prescription opioids and opiates. The National Institute on Drug Abuse<\/a> has referred to this as the \u201cdrug overdose crisis in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\r\n

Due to the potential danger of opioids and opiates, Massachusetts passed a law<\/a> that restricts health professionals from prescribing more than a seven-day supply of the drugs to a patient for the first time. They can prescribe opioids and opiates for an extended period after the initial prescription, but they must note the reasons why in the patient\u2019s medical records.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides information about Massachusetts laws and criminal charges regarding opioids and opiates. It begins with information about Massachusetts methods for classifying controlled substances. It then provides a table outlining the state\u2019s drug laws and criminal penalties. The end of the article has a list of related resources.<\/p>\r\n

Classification of Controlled Substances<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts classifies its controlled substance into five classes to establish criminal offenses. The most dangerous drugs are Class A controlled substances. Examples of drugs in each classification<\/a> are as follows:<\/p>\r\n