Mississippi Cocaine Laws
By Samuel Strom, J.D. | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff | Last reviewed March 26, 2025
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The federal government and state governments classify controlled substances into different schedules. The state of Mississippi classifies controlled substances into five different schedules. Generally, the state classifies a drug based on the following categories:
- The potential for abuse
- The potential for addiction
- Whether the drug has an accepted medical use in the United States
In Mississippi, generally, Schedule I drugs present the highest danger of abuse and have no accepted medical uses in the United States. Schedule V drugs have the lowest danger for abuse, they present a low threat of addiction, and they have legitimate medical uses. Examples of drugs in each schedule are as follows:
- Schedule I controlled substances: Heroin, LSD, fentanyl-related substances, marijuana
- Schedule II controlled substances: Cocaine, codeine, hydrocodone (Vicodin), and methamphetamine
- Schedule III controlled substances: Anabolic steroids and ketamine
- Schedule IV controlled substances: Alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and tramadol
- Schedule V controlled substances: Mixtures containing small amounts of narcotics (e.g., cough medicines)
As noted above, cocaine is a Schedule II drug in Mississippi. Cocaine is an illegal drug under both federal and state law in the United States. Having even small amounts of cocaine can lead to severe criminal penalties.
This article offers an overview of Mississippi's laws and criminal penalties for cocaine. For more information, visit State Cocaine Laws.
Mississippi Cocaine Laws: Overview
Code sections | Mississippi Code Title 41, Chapter 29, Article 3 — Uniform Controlled Substances Law |
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Simple possession of cocaine | It’s unlawful for a person to knowingly or intentionally have cocaine unless the law otherwise authorizes them. (§ 41-29-139(c)) If convicted, the following criminal penalties apply based on the amount of cocaine possessed:
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Transfer or possession with intent to transfer cocaine | It’s unlawful for a person to sell, barter, transfer, manufacture, distribute, dispense cocaine, or possess cocaine with the intent to do those things. (§ 41-29-139(a)(1)) If convicted, the following criminal penalties apply based on the amount of cocaine involved:
|
Drug paraphernalia | A person who uses or possesses drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce cocaine into the human body is guilty of a misdemeanor. (§ 41-29-139(d)(1)) It is also unlawful to deliver, sell, possess with the intent to deliver or sell or manufacture drug paraphernalia with the intent to deliver or sell it when the person knows (or reasonably should know) that someone will use it to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, inject, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce cocaine into the human body. (§ 41-29-139(d)(2)) If convicted, they face up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $500. (§ 41-29-139(d)(1)) Any person over the age of 18 who violates subsection (d)(2) by delivering or selling paraphernalia to someone under 18 and who is at least three years their junior is guilty of a misdemeanor. If convicted, they face up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. (§ 41-29-139(d)(3)) |
Trafficking cocaine | Trafficking in cocaine refers to the following:
Trafficking in cocaine is a felony. If convicted, the defendant faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years (up to 40 years) and a mandatory minimum fine of at least $5,000 (up to $1,000,000). (§ 41-29-139(f)(1)) |
Aggravated trafficking of cocaine | Any person who traffics 200 or more grams of cocaine is guilty of aggravated trafficking. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years of imprisonment (up to a life sentence) and a mandatory minimum fine of $5,000 (up to $1,000,000). (§ 41-29-139(g)) |
Note: State criminal laws change regularly, so you should contact a Mississippi criminal defense lawyer or conduct your own legal research to verify these laws.
Related Resources
For more information about Mississippi law and drug laws generally, visit the following links:
- Mississippi Law
- Mississippi Criminal Law
- Mississippi Criminal Statute of Limitations
- Drug Charges
- Drug Trafficking and Drug Distribution
- Drug Possession Overview
- Types of Drug Crimes
- What Is a Controlled Substance?
You can also visit FindLaw's U.S. Code Section to search other states' cocaine possession laws.
Charged With a Drug Crime? Contact an Attorney
If law enforcement has charged you with a cocaine-related drug crime, you should seek a Mississippi drug crime defense lawyer's help. If you can't afford an attorney, ask the court for a public defender.
Whether you are a first-time offender facing a simple possession charge or you have prior convictions on your criminal record, you could face extended time in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. You could face prosecution under state or federal law depending on your charges. Contact a criminal defense attorney near you to help navigate the criminal justice process and defend your rights.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex drug crimes usually require a lawyer
- Experienced drug crime lawyers can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
- Drug crime laws involve many specifics that can quickly change a case
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many Mississippi attorneys offer free consultations for Drug Crime.
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