Hawaii Heroin Laws

There are federal laws against the use, possession, and distribution of dangerous drugs. State laws 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.

Whether you live in Honolulu or are visiting from Los Angeles, California, you should know Hawaii’s drug laws. If law enforcement catches you with heroin or related drug paraphernalia, they’ll arrest you. You could face a felony charge.

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, you’ll 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.

Here, we’ll explain how Hawaii’s 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.

The Dangers of Heroin

Under the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) drug classification schedule, 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.

Schedule I drugs face strict sanctions because they carry a high potential for physical dependence and drug abuse. It doesn’t 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’s heroin laws.

Heroin Statutes in Hawaii

Possession and distribution of heroin qualify as felonies under Hawaii law. Below, you’ll find the various charges and penalties imposed by Hawaii's heroin laws.

Hawaii Drug Courts

Hawaii has been dealing with an increase in drug use for years. In addition to illicit drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine, heroin has been a severe problem in Hawaii. The state hopes rehabilitation is a solution. First and second-time drug offenders may have the option of going for treatment instead of jail time.

Hawaii's Drug Court programs, which have been around since 1996, help nonviolent offenders get treatment and stay out of prison. The first drug court in Hawaii opened in Oahu and has spread to all jurisdictions in the state.

There are now about 1,500 adult drug courts across the country. On Oahu, participants have access to intensive substance abuse treatment programs and other services that help them succeed in the community. The idea is that if people with drug abuse problems can get off drugs, they’ll have a brighter future and make positive contributions to their community.

Hawaii Heroin Laws: Consult a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney

State drug laws change often and vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. If law enforcement has arrested you for possession of a controlled substance or illegal drug trafficking, you should know what the potential penalties are.

Hawaii law can be confusing when it comes to users and distributors of heroin. Given the rise in drug abuse in the State of Hawaii, expect the prosecutor to do whatever they can to secure a conviction. This is why contacting a Hawaii drug crime attorney in your area is a good idea.

You can also visit FindLaw's Drug Charges section for related articles and resources. If you think you might need help with a drug addiction or substance abuse problem, your first step is to ask for help.