North Carolina Drug Possession Law
North Carolina Drug Possession Defense
What you're facing under N.C.G.S. § 90-95(a)(3); § 90-95(d), how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to North Carolina (NC) law.
Offense Class
Class I Felony (Schedule I-II); Class 1 Misdemeanor (Schedule III-VI under threshold)
Maximum Penalty
24 months (Class I felony); 120 days (Class 1 misdemeanor)
Maximum Fine
Penalty Range in North Carolina
Charge Enhancements
These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in North Carolina:
- Near school, childcare center, or public park: Class E felony enhancement
- Large quantity: trafficking threshold under § 90-95(h)
- Prior drug felony: elevated class
North Carolina-Specific Detail
Marijuana possession of 0.5 oz or less is Class 3 misdemeanor. Over 0.5 oz: Class 1 misdemeanor. Over 1.5 oz: Class I felony.
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Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about North Carolina drug possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.