Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016
Cocaine is a tightly controlled substance in all U.S. jurisdictions, typically classified as a Schedule II drug and prohibited for recreational and nearly all other uses. Federal and state laws provide guidelines and penalties for the possession, sale, or trafficking of cocaine. While some states have backed away from the enforcement of mandatory minimum sentences, Minnesota imposes mandatory minimums for third-degree controlled substance offenses, depending on the offender's criminal history.
Sale of any amount of cocaine is charged as a felony in Minnesota, carrying a possible 20-year sentence, while possession of up to 3 grams may result in up to five years (with the option of drug court for many offenders).
Minnesota is one of a growing number of states offering alternatives to prison for certain non-violent drug offenses. The purpose of Minnesota drug court is to reduce recidivism (or return visits to prison) by helping those convicted of low-level drug charges overcome their drug addition. For instance, someone who is arrested for simple possession and is deemed to have a substance abuse problem may be eligible (excluding anyone with a history of violent crime, gang activity, or drug sales).
Additional details of Minnesota cocaine laws are listed below. For more general information, see FindLaw's Drug Charges section.
| Code Section | 152.01, et seq. |
| Possession | Up to 3 grams: 5th degree felony (0-5 yrs. and/or $10,000); 3-6 grams: 3rd degree felony (up to 20 yrs. and/or $250,000); 6-25 grams: 2nd degree felony (up to 25 yrs. and/or $500,000); Over 25 grams: 1st degree felony (up to 30 yrs. and/or $1,000,000); Subsequent offense: depends on level of prior offenses, 4-40 yrs. and/or up to $1,000,000 |
| Sale | Any amount: up to 20 yrs. and/or $250,000; 3-10 g.: up to 25 yrs. and/or $500,000; Over 10 g.: up to 30 yrs. and/or $1,000,000; Subsequent offense: depends on level of prior offense, 4-40 yrs. and/or up to $1,000,000; Sale to minor -any amount: up to 25 yrs. and/or $500,000 |
| Trafficking | - |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Minnesota drug crimes attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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