Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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No one is going to confuse Des Moines nowadays with Miami Beach in the Cocaine Cowboy heyday of the 1980s. But Iowa authorities still take drug trafficking very seriously and crack down heavily on both cocaine possession and sale. This is an introduction to cocaine laws in Iowa.
Cocaine is listed by the federal government as a Schedule I narcotic, so although state cocaine laws might vary in terms of penalties, all states and the federal government criminalize cocaine possession, sale, and trafficking. In fact, selling cocaine in Iowa could get you up to 50 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. These heavy penalties are a response to the increase of violence that can accompany the manufacturing, trafficking, and use of cocaine.
Cocaine laws and penalties can vary based on your jurisdiction. The chart below lists the details of Iowa's cocaine statutes.
Code Section |
Iowa Code 124, et seq.: Controlled Substances |
Possession |
- |
Sale |
500 g. or less: Class C felony, $1000 to $50,000 500g. to 5 kg.: Class B felony, $5000 to $100,000 Over 5 kg.: Class B felony, up to 50 yrs. and $1,000,000 Subsequent offense: triple penalties; More severe penalties for distribution to minors or person 3 yrs. younger; An adult who distributes to a minor: Class B felony, min. confinement 5 yrs. within 1,000 ft. of public/private school grounds, or recreational area, on a school bus, min. confinement 10 yrs. |
Trafficking |
- |
Iowa is not the only entity that enforces drug laws: federal law also prohibits cocaine possession, manufacturing and cultivation, and trafficking and distribution. As with those in the Hawkeye State, federal penalties can be especially severe if you are convicted for cocaine possession or sale across state lines. Even with the harsh penalties available, some states have recently created specialized “drug courts” that can offer some first- and second-time defendants the opportunity to attend drug treatment programs instead of significant jail time.
As we've seen in other states, drug laws tend to reflect local attitudes towards drugs and are therefore subject to change. You can find additional articles and resources in FindLaw's section on Drug Charges. You can also consult with an Iowa drug crime attorney if you would like legal advice regarding a drug issue. And if you or someone you know might have a drug or substance abuse problem,Iowa's Department of Public Health has resources that might be able to help.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many Iowa attorneys offer free consultations for Drug Crime.
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