Many jurisdictions, including Oklahoma, have relaxed their laws regarding simple possession of illegal drugs for personal use. In Oklahoma, possession of an illegal drug is now a misdemeanor. However, most of the laws regarding illegal drugs in Oklahoma remain serious felonies, including endeavoring to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance. Here is what you need to know about this crime and how it is handled in Oklahoma.
Endeavoring To Manufacture A Controlled Dangerous Substance Defined
A “controlled dangerous substance” legally means a drug or substance categorized in Schedules I through V of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act of Oklahoma. Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-101
The schedules include illegal drugs like marijuana, meth, and heroin. But they also include prescription medication obtained without a valid prescription, such as Oxycontin and Valium.
Endeavoring to manufacture a drug literally means to try to make the drug, but the legal definition of manufacturing incorporates a lot of ground.
Legally, to “manufacture” a controlled dangerous substance means taking part in its production, preparation, processing, or propagation. This can include such things as growing marijuana (propagation), making meth, and the like. Also, it can include weighing and packaging.
Any person who offers, solicits, attempts, endeavors, or conspires to manufacture illegal drugs can be convicted of a felony in Tahlequah. Even if your drug manufacturing is not successful, you can still be convicted if you attempted or conspired to manufacture with others. Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-408
Are You A Drug Manufacturer? Maybe.
Oklahoma law has a very broad definition of a “manufacturer.” A “manufacturer” not only includes persons who mix or make the illegal drug, but also it includes any person who packages, repackages, or labels any controlled dangerous substance.
Thus, if your particular job is only to weigh and package drugs for sale, you could still be found to be a “manufacturer” under Oklahoma law. This makes it easier for prosecutors to punish people who are even remotely involved in the manufacturing process. And the ramifications can be serious if you are convicted.
In fact, you don’t actually have to manufacture the drug to be found guilty of this crime. Buying chemicals, planning to build a meth lab, offering to help in a meth lab, or growing marijuana may be enough to be convicted under this statute. Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-401
Penalties
The crime is a felony in Oklahoma. Punishments are categorized according to the type of drugs involved. Depending on the substances involved, you could spend life in prison in addition to paying substantial fines. Okla. Stat. tit. 63 §§ 2-204 et seq.
If you are facing charges, you will need legal help. Talk to a Tahlequah attorney right away.
Low-cost Initial Consultation: Tahlequah Criminal Defense Lawyer
Please contact a Tahlequah criminal defense lawyer to discuss your available legal options if you’ve been charged with endeavoring to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance in Oklahoma.
For a low-cost consultation, call Wirth Law Office – Tahlequah at 918-458-2677 or toll-free at 1-888-447-7262.
Or, if you prefer e-mail, you may enter a legal question in the form at the top right of this page and we’ll contact you by e-mail as soon as possible.
