District of Columbia Heroin Laws

By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed June 13, 2025

For over a decade, this country has been dealing with an opiate epidemic. It started with heroin but has now progressed to include drugs like fentanyl. Given how dangerous heroin is, lawmakers in D.C. have implemented and enforced strict drug laws.

If you’re facing drug charges, be it for possession of heroin or sale and distribution, you should familiarize yourself with D.C. law. This article explains how the Washington, D.C. law treats heroin and other drug-related offenses, including the penalties you’ll face if you're guilty of these drug crimes. Read on for a better understanding of D.C. heroin laws.

Drug Laws and Heroin

There are state and federal laws that prohibit the possession and sale of illegal drugs. Under the Controlled Substances Act, there are five categories of drugs based on the medical uses and potential for abuse of each drug.

The two most dangerous categories of drugs are Schedule I and Schedule II. These include drugs that have no accepted medical use and carry a high potential for abuse and dependency. Federal and state laws target drugs in these classes, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

Some of the other Schedule I and Schedule II drugs these laws target include:

Oxycodone
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Cannabis
Amphetamines
Stimulants
Depressants
Other narcotic drugs

It’s also illegal to possess prescription drugs that are not in your name.

Schedule IV and Schedule V drugs are the least harmful and include Robitussin and codeine.

Heroin is one of the drugs with the most devastating consequences for users from both a health and legal standpoint. People with substance abuse issues often turn to crime to fuel their drug habit. This is devastating to the community. In addition, when heroin users overdose it puts a burden on our healthcare system.

Given the dangers of this drug, D.C.’s heroin-related crimes carry stiff penalties. Jail time and fines await those guilty of even simple possession.

Heroin Laws in D.C.: Summary

The chart below highlights the drug charges and penalties under the District of Columbia's heroin laws. For more articles and resources, see FindLaw's Drug Charges section.

D.C. Heroin Laws Code Sections	D.C. General Laws §48-901.02, et seq. §48-904.01, et seq.
D.C. Heroin Laws for Possession	Heroin possession for personal use is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
D.C. Heroin Laws for Drug Sales, Drug Distribution, and Drug Trafficking	Under D.C. Code, the sale, manufacture, or distribution of heroin is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.
D.C. Heroin Laws Drug Court	While drug offenses carry stiff sentences, including prison time, some prosecutors offer plea bargains to first-time offenders in exchange for help with a larger case. Others offer defendants the option of going to drug court instead of facing jail time. The court dismisses the charges once the offender completes the drug court program.

Disclaimer: State laws change, so it’s a good idea to contact a District of Columbia drug crime attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. You can also conduct further legal research on the laws in your jurisdiction.