Drug-Related Crimes:
Minnesota federal and state laws prohibit the unlawful manufacture, possession, sale and use of drugs and controlled substances. The unlawful possession and distribution of precursors (chemicals used in drug cultivation and manufacturing) and paraphernalia is also prohibited. Prescription drug violations are also considered drug-related crimes.
These laws are extremely harsh for most offenders, even non-violent offenders. The severity of the offense will determine what sort of punishment an offender can expect. Factors which determine severity include, but are not limited to: drug type, amount/quantity, prior convictions and geographical location. Punishment for these offenses can range from rehabilitation programs and probation to heavy fines and lengthy incarceration.