Asheville Drug Manufacturing Lawyers

North Carolina’s drug manufacturing laws apply to controlled substances on all six of the state’s drug schedules. Specifically, residents can turn to the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act for more information on how the state defines criminal manufacturing processes.

This statute addresses all of the following aspects of drug crimes and manufacturing:

• Production
• Preparation
• Propagation
• Compounding
• Conversation
• Processing
• Packaging and/or repackaging
• Labeling and/or relabeling

All of these behaviors constitute felony offenses in the eyes of North Carolina law enforcement. To what degree the consequences of an unchallenged drug manufacturing charge impact your future can depend on the schedule the drug you’re accused of manufacturing is on and any previous criminal convictions you may be contending with.

The consequences for the alleged manufacturing of controlled substances vary depending on the schedule that a particular substance is on. For example, Schedule I includes substances like:

• LSD
• Opiates
• Heroin
• Ecstasy
• Psilocybin mushrooms

There are six schedules in total, each with its own list of controlled substances. Schedule I lists the substances that have the highest risk of abuse and dependency. These risks decrease as the schedules increase in number.

If you are accused of producing substances on Schedules I or II, you can face up to 25 months in prison alongside the consequences of a Class H felony. If you’re accused of manufacturing substances on Schedules III through IV, you may face a Class I felony and up to 12 months in prison.

Methamphetamines and North Carolina’s Drug Manufacturing Consequences

The only time the consequences for drug manufacturing vary is when a) you have pre-existing criminal charges on your record, b) your arrest is paired with other alleged wrongdoings, including the possession and/or distribution of dangerous weapons, or c) when the substance in question is methamphetamine.

You normally find methamphetamines on Schedule II. However, North Carolina has specific legislation that dictates how law enforcement should react to the manufacturing of methamphetamines. Specifically, this NC Statute states that the production of methamphetamines constitutes a Class C felony.

If you do not challenge charges accusing you of the production of meth, you may face up to 182 months in prison. You may face these charges regardless of the amount of product you have allegedly created.

A drug manufacturing conviction can have serious long-term effects on your personal and professional life. If you’re not able to get ahead of the narrative of your case, you risk substantial fines, prison time, and consequences throughout your personal and professional life. With help from a criminal defense attorney, though, you can contest the charges brought against you.

If possible, make sure your first call upon your arrest is to a drug manufacturing attorney. While police officers’ intentions may be to protect their communities, they can misrepresent any statements you make during your arrest to suit the state’s narrative. 

Once our team members are on the scene, we can protect your right to a fair trial while better understanding your perspective on your case.

How to Challenge Accusations of Drug Manufacturing

In most cases, accusations of drug manufacturing hinge on intent and foreknowledge. You must be aware of what you are creating and/or creating with the intent to distribute if the state is to hold you in contempt of the law.

There is also a chance that you could argue coercion when addressing your drug manufacturing charges. Claims of coercion could see the charges against you reduced, as you may not have been willingly contributing to the distribution and/or creation of controlled substances throughout the state.