Possession of Ketamine, a Schedule III Narcotic
GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine are the three drugs most commonly known as "date rape drugs." The fact is that any drug or alcohol can make an intended victim less able to protect him or herself, but these drugs have an added punch: Each of them can make someone unable to defend him or herself against attack in a very short time. In some cases, it takes less than one minute!
Also these drugs are sometimes taken intentionally for various "high" experiences. Although Rohypnol and Ketamine have legitimate medical uses, when taken without medical supervision, they are not safe. None of these drugs are something to experiment or play with. All have addictive potential and can cause fatal overdoses quite easily.
Ketamine is a Controlled Substance, Schedule 3 drug.
There are a number of viable defenses and arguments which can be pursued to achieve a successful result for someone charged with possession of narcotics (CDS). Advocacy, commitment, and persistence are essential to defending a client accused of involvement with narcotics. Our office represents people charged with crimes. We provide representation throughout New Jersey. Criminal charges can cost you. If convicted, you can face prison, fines over $10,000, jail, probation over 18 months, and other penalties. Do not give up! Our Law Office can provide experienced attorney representation for criminal violations. Our website www.njlaws.com provides information on criminal cases.
In New Jersey, there are drug laws that establish Schedules of illegal drugs. New Jersey does not call serious drug offenses "felonies." Instead, they are called "crimes."
NJSA 24:21-7 Schedule III
7. Schedule III. Drugs
a. Tests. The commissioner shall place a substance in Schedule III if he finds that the substance: (1) has a potential for abuse less than the substances listed in Schedules I and II; (2) has currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States; and (3) abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
b. The controlled dangerous substances listed in this section are included in Schedule III, subject to any revision and republishing by the commissioner pursuant to section 3d., and except to the extent provided in any other schedule.
c. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances associated with a stimulant effect on the central nervous system:
(1) Amphetamine, its salts, optical isomers, and salts of its optical isomers.
(2) Phenmetrazine and its salts.
(3) Any substance which contains any quantity of methamphetamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.
(4) Methylphenidate.
d. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a potential for abuse associated with a depressant effect on the central nervous system:
(1) Any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative of barbituric acid, or any salt of a derivative of barbituric acid, except those substances which are specifically listed in other schedules.
(2) Chlorhexadol
(3) Glutethimide
(4) Lysergic acid
(5) Lysergic acid amide
(6) Methyprylon
(7) Phencyclidine
(8) Sulfondiethylmethane
(9) Sulfonethylmethane
(10) Sulfonmethane
(11) Ketamine hydrochloride.
e. Nalorphine.
f. Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:
(1) Not more than 1.80 grams of codeine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with an equal or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.
(2) Not more than 1.80 grams of codeine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, non-narcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(3) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with a four-fold or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium.
(4) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(5) Not more than 1.80 grams of dihydrocodeine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(6) Not more than 300 milligrams of ethylmorphine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(7) Not more than 500 milligrams of opium or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams, or not more than 25 milligrams per dosage unit, with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
(8) Not more than 50 milligrams of morphine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams with one or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.
g. The commissioner may by regulation except any compound, mixture, or preparation containing any stimulant or depressant substance listed in subsections a. and b. of this schedule from the application of all or any part of this act if the compound, mixture, or preparation contains one or more active medicinal ingredients not having a stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system; provided, that such admixtures shall be included therein in such combinations, quantity, proportion, or concentration as to vitiate the potential for abuse of the substances which do have a stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system.
