West Virginia Cocaine Laws

West Virginia drug laws differ from many other states in that first offenses for all drug possession crimes are misdemeanors. This includes cocaine possession. All other types of possession for sale, distribution, and trafficking are felony offenses and result in severe penalties.

West Virginia was a focal state for the opioid crisis of the early 2000s, and the effects are still reverberating throughout the state. Because of this, West Virginia legislators have been considering changes to state laws that would make simple possession a felony for all crimes.

If you're facing a drug possession charge, you should immediately speak with a criminal defense attorney. This article reviews West Virginia's cocaine drug laws and related laws.

West Virginia Cocaine Laws

West Virginia's drug laws follow the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) is a federal schedule of all regulated substances in the United States. Drugs and medications are scheduled based on their medical use, likelihood of abuse, and safety or risk of dependence. For instance, LSD is a Schedule I drug with no known medical use, while cocaine is a Schedule II drug since it has some medical uses despite a high risk of abuse.

A drug's schedule affects the sentence a defendant receives. Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I or Schedule II drug is a felony with a sentence of one to 15 years. Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule IV drug is a felony with a sentence of one to three years.

West Virginia Drug Offenses

West Virginia classifies drug charges based on the type of drug and what the defendant attempted to do with it.

Simple possession of any narcotic is a misdemeanor if it's a first offense. First offenders can request a conditional discharge of their case in West Virginia, even for cocaine possession. Conditional discharge puts the offender on probation for six months. The judge removes the charge from the defendant's record if the defendant completes probation.

Possession of a controlled substance after the first offense is a felony. Having a small amount for personal use may result in sentencing at the lower end of the scale.

Possession of illegal drugs for sale or distribution, second and subsequent offenses, and sale to minors are all serious felonies and may result in denial of parole. Drug trafficking (transport of drugs across state lines) is a felony, and the offender could face federal charges as well.

Because of the impact the opioid epidemic has had on West Virginia, the state legislature changed the code sections regarding fentanyl possession, manufacture, or distribution in April 2025. Possession of any amount of fentanyl is now illegal, and penalties have been greatly increased. This also applies to other narcotics that were adulterated or cut with fentanyl.

Sentencing Disparity Controversy

While West Virginia's law doesn't differentiate between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, federal law did for many years. This inequality in sentencing contributed to higher rates of arrest and conviction, as well as longer sentences, for lower-income crack users compared to those who used cocaine.

Although the recent Fair Sentencing Law addressed this issue, the law did not retroactively apply to those already incarcerated. Many former crack users continue to serve long prison sentences. Federal law could apply to you in West Virginia if you're on federal property or are trafficking across state lines.

Research the Law

• West Virginia Law
• Official State Codes

Related Resources

• Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
• West Virginia Heroin Laws
• West Virginia Marijuana Laws

Get Legal Advice From a West Virginia Criminal Defense Attorney

If you've been arrested for a drug-related crime, you need help from an experienced West Virginia criminal defense lawyer. Legal assistance is a good idea regardless of whether your charges are for cocaine or another narcotic. Even as a first-time offender, don't wait to call an attorney. This does double if you've had multiple run-ins with the criminal justice system.