Are Synthetic Drugs Illegal in Illinois?

 Posted on March 27,2017 in Uncategorized

In just the past few years there has been a dramatic increase in the volume of synthetic drugs available on the streets of Illinois. Synthetic drugs, also sometimes referred to as designer drugs, are substances that mimic the effect of illegal drugs and that fall outside of the regulatory authority of the Food and Drug Administration. They often contain controlled substances and because there are so many different types and formulations of synthetic drugs, it is difficult to predict the effect the synthetic drugs have from one user to the next. A common factor amongst synthetic drugs is that they are often addictive, and can be highly dangerous because of the unpredictable effect that these drugs can have on users.

Are Synthetic Drugs Illegal in Illinois?

Synthetic drugs are just as illegal as their chemically similar counterparts and are prohibited under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Prior to 2016, Illinois law was not very well defined when it came to prohibiting the use and possession of synthetic drugs. However, the passage of Senate Bill 1129 effectively curbed synthetic drug use among Illinoisans by making them illegal.

Synthetic drugs can include compounds such as:

• Synthetic marijuana, i.e., spice or K2;
• Ketamine or Special K;
• GBL (gamma-butyrolactone);
• Bath salts;
• Synthetic heroin; and
• Synthetic PCP.

Many synthetic drugs are considered Schedule 1 drugs. The sale and distribution of these synthetic drugs is a felony level offense. If you have been charged with a drug offense involving synthetic drugs, it is imperative that you get in touch with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

Defending Against Synthetic Drug Charges

Anyone who is charged with a synthetic drug offense needs to work closely with a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer who has an extensive history working on synthetic drug cases. You could face a felony level penalty if you are convicted on a synthetic drug charge, which means you could face lengthy jail time and a significant fine. Additionally, you will have a criminal record including a drug conviction, which can have a long term impact on yourlife.

There are many possible defenses that could be raised, and which defenses are relevant to your particular circumstances will depend on the facts surrounding your particular alleged offense. For instance, it might be possible to raise a defense concerning your knowledge that you had possession of the synthetic drug, or it might be pertinent to raise a defense against whether you had possession of the synthetic drug. There may be issues concerning the illegal search and seizure of the synthetic drug as evidence by law enforcement, or your arrest might have been illegal. You should work closely with a criminal defense lawyer to work out your best defense strategy.

Let Us Help You with Your Case

Being charged with a synthetic drug offense is just as serious as being charged with a crime related to the real thing. Please contact a passionate Rolling Meadows drug offenses attorney immediately to be working aggressively on your case.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1941&ChapterID=53

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=1129&GAID=13&SessionID=88&LegID=86576