The list of controlled substances in Florida and on Federal rosters is long, however there are a handful of substances that recurrently find themselves the subject of drug crime litigation.
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States. Although moves have been made in states like California to legitimize its use for medical purposes, in Florida it is still 100% illegal to possess, distribute, cultivate, traffic in or otherwise deal with Marijuana. Possession of any amount of Marijuana less than 20 grams constitutes a first-degree misdemeanor offense in Florida, and can carry penalties of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Cocaine is another illicit substance that is commonly implicated in drug crimes. It is produced either in a powder form, or processed into a rock crystal known as crack cocaine that is usually smoked. Cocaine is a Schedule II narcotic and is highly addictive.
As a popular vacation destination with a vibrant nightlife, Florida is also unfortunately a hotbed for the use and distribution of club drugs like MDMA (also known as Ecstasy), GHB, ketamine and methamphetamine. These drugs are typically used individually or in combination to create feelings of euphoria and distorted perception in club environments. There has been a disturbing trend in recent years of certain distributors cutting these drugs with dangerous substances, enhancing the toxicity of the drugs and causing potentially fatal events in users.
Prescription drugs have also become an increasing issue in Florida in recent years. The most commonly abused are oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), diazepam (Valium) and amphetamine salts (Adderall). Although these drugs are distributed legally by medical doctors, there has been increasing trafficking in these drugs illegally and for recreational purposes.
In the last few years, several disturbing events have been picked up by news outlets that have drawn attention to an extremely powerful and dangerous new class of synthetic drugs known as bath salts. Little is known about biochemistry, makeup and exact effects of these drugs, however a recent high profile event in Miami and a subsequent event in Palmetto both involved hyper aggression and bouts of gratuitous cannibalism in two individuals suspected to be under the influence of bath salts. Lawmakers are scrambling to criminalize the use of baths alts and other synthetic drugs.
Posted in: Drug Crimes
