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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
A127, R160, S16
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Moore, McConnell, Elliott, Hayes, Verdin, Alexander, Fair and Knotts
Document Path: l:\s-jud\bills\moore\jud0007.tlm.doc
Introduced in the Senate on January 11, 2005
Introduced in the House on April 20, 2005
Last Amended on May 31, 2005
Passed by the General Assembly on June 2, 2005
Governor's Action: June 7, 2005, Signed
Summary: Include manufacturing Methamphetamine as a violent crime
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/8/2004 Senate Prefiled
12/8/2004 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
1/11/2005 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-88
1/11/2005 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-88
2/4/2005 Senate Referred to Subcommittee: Hutto (ch), Jackson, Knotts,
Bryant
4/13/2005 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
SJ-12
4/14/2005 Senate Amended SJ-30
4/15/2005 Scrivener's error corrected
4/18/2005 Senate Read second time SJ-32
4/19/2005 Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-16
4/20/2005 House Introduced and read first time HJ-10
4/20/2005 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-11
5/18/2005 House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
HJ-141
5/24/2005 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, May 25, 2005 HJ-37
5/26/2005 House Amended HJ-11
5/26/2005 House Read second time HJ-17
5/26/2005 House Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative
day HJ-17
5/27/2005 House Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
HJ-1
5/27/2005 Scrivener's error corrected
5/31/2005 Senate House amendment amended SJ-55
5/31/2005 Senate Returned to House with amendments SJ-55
6/1/2005 Scrivener's error corrected
6/2/2005 House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-58
6/2/2005 Ratified R 160
6/7/2005 Signed By Governor
6/13/2005 Copies available
6/13/2005 Effective date 06/07/05
6/16/2005 Act No. 127
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
12/8/2004
4/13/2005
4/14/2005
4/15/2005
5/18/2005
5/26/2005
5/27/2005
5/31/2005
6/1/2005
6/2/2005
(A127, R160, S16)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 16-1-60, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VIOLENT CRIMES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THE OFFENSE OF MANUFACTURING OR TRAFFICKING IN METHAMPHETAMINE AS A VIOLENT CRIME; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-110, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS FOR PURPOSES OF NARCOTICS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PARAPHERNALIA", ADD THE DEFINITIONS OF "COCAINE BASE" AND "METHAMPHETAMINE", AND DELETE THE DEFINITION OF "CRACK COCAINE, ICE, OR CRANK"; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-365, RELATING TO THEFT OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO INCLUDE THEFT OF PRECURSOR SUBSTANCES; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-370, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION, MANUFACTURE, AND TRAFFICKING OF CERTAIN CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF POSSESSION OF COCAINE AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-375, RELATING TO THE POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURE, AND TRAFFICKING OF ICE, CRANK, AND CRACK COCAINE, SO AS TO INSTEAD RELATE TO THE POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURE, AND TRAFFICKING OF METHAMPHETAMINE OR COCAINE BASE, MAKE POSSESSION OF EQUIPMENT USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE OF THE INTENT TO MANUFACTURE, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES AND EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-470, RELATING TO SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES FOR PURPOSES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OFFENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR CLASSIFYING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OFFENSE AS A SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 44-53-420, RELATING TO ATTEMPT AND CONSPIRACY FOR PURPOSES OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OFFENSES, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFENSE OF ATTEMPT TO POSSESS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND TO PROVIDE A PENALTY; AND BY ADDING SECTION 12-6-3582 SO AS TO PROVIDE INCOME TAX CREDITS FOR FARMERS WHO COMPLY WITH THE AGRICULTURE USE OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Crimes and offenses, violent offenses, methamphetamine
SECTION 1. Section 16-1-60 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 92 of 2003, is further amended to read:
"Section 16-1-60. For purposes of definition under South Carolina law, a violent crime includes the offenses of: murder (Section 16-3-10); criminal sexual conduct in the first and second degree (Sections 16-3-652 and 16-3-653); criminal sexual conduct with minors, first and second degree (Section 16-3-655); assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, first and second degree (Section 16-3-656); assault and battery with intent to kill (Section 16-3-620); kidnapping (Section 16-3-910); voluntary manslaughter (Section 16-3-50); armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(A)); attempted armed robbery (Section 16-11-330(B)); carjacking (Section 16-3-1075); drug trafficking as defined in Section 44-53-370(e); manufacturing or trafficking methamphetamine as defined in Section 44-53-375; arson in the first degree (Section 16-11-110(A)); arson in the second degree (Section 16-11-110(B)); burglary in the first degree (Section 16-11-311); burglary in the second degree (Section 16-11-312(B)); engaging a child for a sexual performance (Section 16-3-810); homicide by child abuse (Section 16-3-85(A)(1)); aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse (Section 16-3-85(A)(2)); inflicting great bodily injury upon a child (Section 16-3-95(A)); allowing great bodily injury to be inflicted upon a child (Section 16-3-95(B)); criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature (Section 16-25-65); abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death (Section 43-35-85(F)); abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in great bodily injury (Section 43-35-85(E)); accessory before the fact to commit any of the above offenses (Section 16-1-40); attempt to commit any of the above offenses (Section 16-1-80); and taking of a hostage by an inmate (Section 24-13-450). Only those offenses specifically enumerated in this section are considered violent offenses."
Controlled substances, definitions, cocaine base and methamphetamine
SECTION 2. Section 44-53-110 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 44-53-110. As used in this article and Sections 44-49-10, 44-49-40, and 44-49-50:
'Administer' means the direct application of a controlled substance, whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or any other means, to the body of a patient or research subject by:
(1) a practitioner (or, in his presence, by his authorized agent); or
(2) the patient or research subject at the direction and in the presence of the practitioner.
'Agent' means an authorized person who acts on behalf of or at the direction of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser, except that this term does not include a common or contract carrier, public warehouseman, or employee of the carrier or warehouseman, when acting in the usual or lawful course of the carrier's or warehouseman's business.
'Bureau' means the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, United States Department of Justice, or its successor agency.
'Commission' means the South Carolina Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
'Confidant' means a medical practitioner, a pharmacist, a pharmacologist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, a full-time staff member of a college or university counseling bureau, a guidance counselor or a teacher in an elementary school or in a junior or senior high school, a full-time staff member of a hospital, a duly ordained and licensed member of the clergy, accredited Christian Science practitioner, or any professional or paraprofessional staff member of a drug treatment, education, rehabilitation, or referral center who has received a communication from a holder of the privilege.
'Controlled substance' means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V in Sections 44-53-190, 44-53-210, 44-53-230, 44-53-250, and 44-53-270.
'Controlled substance analogue' means a substance that is intended for human consumption and that either has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled substance in Schedules I, II, or III or has a stimulant, depressant, analgesic, or hallucinogenic effect on the central nervous system that is substantially similar to that of a controlled substance in Schedules I, II, or III. Controlled substance analogue does not include a controlled substance; any substance generally recognized as safe and effective within the meaning of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.; any substance for which there is an approved new drug application; or, with respect to a particular person, any substance if an exemption is in effect for investigational use for that person under Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 355.
'Counterfeit substance' means a controlled substance which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, number, or device, or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser other than the person who, in fact, manufactured, distributed, or dispensed such substance and which, thereby, falsely purports or is represented to be the product of, or to have been distributed by, such other manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser.
'Cocaine base' means an alkaloidal cocaine or freebase form of cocaine, which is the end product of a chemical alteration whereby the cocaine in salt form is converted to a form suitable for smoking. Cocaine base is commonly referred to as 'rock' or 'crack cocaine'.
'Deliver' or 'delivery' means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled drug or paraphernalia whether or not there exists an agency relationship.
'Department' means the State Department of Health and Environmental Control.
'Depressant or stimulant drug' means:
(a) a drug which contains any quantity of barbituric acid or any of the salts of barbituric acid, or any derivative of barbituric acid which has been designated as habit forming by the appropriate federal agency or by the department;
(b) a drug which contains any quantity of amphetamine or any of its optical isomers, any salt of amphetamine or any salt of any optical isomer of amphetamine, or any other substance which the appropriate federal agency or the department, after investigation, has found to be capable of being, and by regulation designated as, habit forming because of its stimulant effect on the central nervous system; or
(c) lysergic acid diethylamide or mescaline, or any other substance which the appropriate federal agency or the department, after investigation, has found to have, and by regulation designates as having a potential for abuse because of its stimulant or depressant effect on the central nervous system or its hallucinogenic effect.
'Detoxification treatment' means the dispensing, for a period not in excess of twenty-one days, of a narcotic drug in decreasing doses to an individual in order to alleviate adverse physiological or psychological effects incident to withdrawal from the continuous or sustained use of a narcotic drug and as a method of bringing the individual to a narcotic drug-free state within this period.
'Director' means the Director of the Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs under the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
'Dispense' means to deliver a controlled substance to an ultimate user or research subject by or pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, including the prescribing, administering, packaging, labeling, or compounding necessary to prepare the substance for the delivery.
'Dispenser' means a practitioner who delivers a controlled substance to the ultimate user or research subject.
'Distribute' means to deliver (other than by administering or dispensing) a controlled substance.
'Distributor' means a person who so delivers a controlled substance.
'Drug' means a substance:
(a) recognized in the official United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them;
(b) intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in man and animals;
(c) other than food intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man and animals; and
(d) intended for use as a component of any substance specified in subitem (a), (b), or (c) of this paragraph but does not include devices or their components, parts, or accessories.
'Drug problem' means a mental or physical problem caused by the use or abuse of a controlled substance.
'Holder of the privilege' means a person with an existing or a potential drug problem who seeks counseling, treatment, or therapy regarding such drug problem.
'Imitation controlled substance' means a noncontrolled substance which is represented to be a controlled substance and is packaged in a manner normally used for the distribution or delivery of an illegal controlled substance.
'Immediate precursor' means a substance which the appropriate federal agency or the department has found to be and by regulation has designated as being, or can be proven by expert testimony as being, the principal compound commonly used or produced primarily for use, and which is an immediate chemical intermediary used or likely to be used in the manufacture of a controlled substance, or is a reagent, solvent, or catalyst used in the manufacture of controlled substances, the control of which is necessary to prevent, curtail, or limit such manufacture.
'Maintenance treatment' means the dispensing, for a period in excess of twenty-one days, of a narcotic drug in the treatment of an individual for dependence upon heroin or other morphine-like drugs.
'Manufacture' means the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container, except that this term does not include the preparation or compounding of a controlled substance by an individual for his own use or the preparation, compounding, packaging, or labeling of a controlled substance:
(1) by a practitioner as an incident to his administering or dispensing of a controlled substance in the course of his professional practice; or
(2) by a practitioner, or by his authorized agent under his supervision, for the purpose of, or as an incident to, research, teaching, or chemical analysis and not for sale.
'Manufacturer' means any person who packages, repackages, or labels any container of any controlled substance, except practitioners who dispense or compound prescription orders for delivery to the ultimate consumer.
'Marijuana' means:
(1) all species or variety of the marijuana plant and all parts thereof whether growing or not;
(2) the seeds of the marijuana plant;
(3) the resin extracted from any part of the marijuana plant;
(4) every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the marijuana plant, marijuana seeds, or marijuana resin.
'Marijuana' does not mean:
(1) the mature stalks of the marijuana plant or fibers produced from these stalks;
(2) oil or cake made from the seeds of the marijuana plant;
(3) any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivatives, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom);
(4) the sterilized seed of the marijuana plant which is incapable of germination.
'Methamphetamine' includes any salt, isomer, or salt of an isomer, or any mixture or compound containing amphetamine or methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is commonly referred to as 'crank', 'ice', or 'crystal meth'.
'Narcotic drug' means any of the following, whether produced directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of vegetable origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis:
(a) opium, coca leaves, and opiates;
(b) a compound, manufacture, salt, derivative or preparation of opium, coca leaves, or opiates;
(c) a substance (and any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, or preparation thereof) which is chemically identical with any of the substances referred to in subitem (a) or (b). This term does not include decocainized coca leaves or extracts of coca leaves, which extracts do not contain cocaine or ecgonine.
'Noncontrolled substance' means any substance of chemical or natural origin which is not included in the schedules of controlled substances set forth in this article or included in the federal schedules of controlled substances set forth in Title 21, Section 812 of the United States Code or in Title 21, Part 1308 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
'Opiate' means any substance having an addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability similar to morphine or being capable of conversion into a drug having addiction-forming or addiction-sustaining liability. It does not include, unless specifically designated as controlled under this article, the dextrorotatory isomer of 3-methoxy-n-methylmorphinan and its salts (dextromethorphan). It does include racemic and levorotatory forms.
'Opium poppy' means the plant of the species Papaver somniferum L., except the seed thereof.
'Paraphernalia' means any instrument, device, article, or contrivance used, designed for use, or intended for use in ingesting, smoking, administering, manufacturing, or preparing a controlled substance and does not include cigarette papers and tobacco pipes but includes, but is not limited to:
(1) metal, wooden, acrylic, glass, stone, plastic, or ceramic marijuana or hashish pipes with or without screens, permanent screens, hashish heads, or punctured metal bowls;
(2) water pipes designed for use or intended for use with marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, or cocaine;
(3) carburetion tubes and devices;
(4) smoking and carburetion masks;
(5) roach clips;
(6) separation gins designed for use or intended for use in cleaning marijuana;
(7) cocaine spoons and vials;
(8) chamber pipes;
(9) carburetor pipes;
(10) electric pipes;
(11) air-driven pipes;
(12) chilams;
(13) bongs;
(14) ice pipes or chillers.
'Peyote' means all parts of the plant presently classified botanically as Lophophora Williamsii Lemaire, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; any extract from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds, or extracts.
'Poppy straw' means all parts, except the seeds, of the opium poppy, after mowing.
'Practitioner' means:
(1) a physician, dentist, veterinarian, podiatrist, scientific investigator, or other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State;
(2) a pharmacy, hospital, or other institution licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, or to administer a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research in this State.
'Production' includes the manufacture, planting, cultivation, growing, or harvesting of a controlled substance.
'Ultimate user' means a person who lawfully possesses a controlled substance for his own use or for the use of a member of his household or for administration to an animal owned by him or a member of his household."
Controlled substances, theft of controlled substance
SECTION 3. Section 44-53-365 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 365 of 2002, is amended to read:
"Section 44-53-365. (A) It is unlawful for a person to take or exercise control over a controlled substance, the immediate precursor of a controlled substance, or ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine belonging to another person or entity with the intent to deprive the person or entity of the controlled substance, the immediate precursor, or ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.
(B) A person who knowingly and intentionally violates subsection (A):
(1) for a first offense, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both; and
(2) for a second or subsequent violation, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than ten years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both."
Controlled substances, possession of cocaine, penalties
SECTION 4. Section 44-53-370(d) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 267 of 2002, is further amended to read:
"(d) A person who violates subsection (c) with respect to:
(1) a controlled substance classified in Schedule I (b) and (c) which is a narcotic drug or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and in Schedule II which is a narcotic drug is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than ten thousand dollars, or both;
(2) any other controlled substance classified in Schedules I through V is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than one thousand dollars, or both. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than two thousand dollars, or both, except as provided in subsection (d)(4);
(3) cocaine is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a first offense, the court, upon approval of the solicitor, may require as part of a sentence, that the offender enter and successfully complete a drug treatment and rehabilitation program. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than twelve thousand five hundred dollars, or both;
(4) possession of more than: ten grains of cocaine, one hundred milligrams of alpha- or beta-eucaine, four grains of opium, four grains of morphine, two grains of heroin, one hundred milligrams of isonipecaine, twenty-eight grams or one ounce of marijuana, ten grams of hashish, fifty micrograms of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or its compounds, fifteen tablets, capsules, dosage units, or the equivalent quantity of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), or twenty milliliters or milligrams of gamma hydroxybutyric acid or a controlled substance analogue of gamma hydroxybutyric acid, is prima facie guilty of violation of subsection (a) of this section. A person who violates this subsection with respect to twenty-eight grams or one ounce or less of marijuana or ten grams or less of hashish is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days or fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars. Conditional discharge may be granted in accordance with the provisions of Section 44-53-450 upon approval by the circuit solicitor to the magistrate or municipal judge. As a part of a sentence, a magistrate or municipal judge may require attendance at an approved drug abuse program. Persons charged with the offense of possession of marijuana or hashish under this item may be permitted to enter the pretrial intervention program under the provisions of Sections 17-22-10 through 17-22-160. For a second or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or both.
When a person is charged under this subsection for possession of controlled substances, bail shall not exceed the amount of the fine and the assessment provided pursuant to Section 14-1-206, 14-1-207, or 14-1-208, whichever is applicable. A person charged under this item for a first offense for possession of controlled substances may forfeit bail by nonappearance. Upon forfeiture in general sessions court, the fine portion of the bail must be distributed as provided in Section 14-1-205. The assessment portion of the bail must be distributed as provided in Section 14-1-206, 14-1-207, or 14-1-208, whichever is applicable."
Controlled substances; possession, manufacture, and trafficking; methamphetamine and cocaine base; penalties
SECTION 5. Section 44-53-375 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 44-53-375. (A) A person possessing or attempting to possess less than one gram of methamphetamine or cocaine base, as defined in Section 44-53-110, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction for a first offense, must be imprisoned not more than three years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both. For a first offense the court, upon approval of the solicitor, may require as part of a sentence, that the offender enter and successfully complete a drug treatment and rehabilitation program. For a second offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not more than seven thousand five hundred dollars, or both. For a third or subsequent offense, the offender is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than twelve thousand five hundred dollars, or both.
(B) A person who manufactures, distributes, dispenses, delivers, purchases, or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase, or possesses with intent to distribute, dispense, or deliver methamphetamine or cocaine base, in violation of the provisions of Section 44-53-370, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction:
(1) for a first offense, must be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than fifteen years or fined not more than twenty-five thousand dollars, or both;
(2) for a second offense or if, in the case of a first conviction of a violation of this section, the offender has been convicted of any of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, the offender must be imprisoned for not less than five years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both;
(3) for a third or subsequent offense or if the offender has been convicted two or more times in the aggregate of any violation of the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or district relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogenic drugs, the offender must be imprisoned for not less than fifteen years nor more than thirty years, or fined not more than fifty thousand dollars, or both.
Possession of one or more grams of methamphetamine or cocaine base is prima facie evidence of a violation of this subsection.
(C) A person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers, purchases, or brings into this State, or who provides financial assistance or otherwise aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to sell, manufacture, deliver, purchase, or bring into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession or who knowingly attempts to become in actual or constructive possession of ten grams or more of methamphetamine or cocaine base, as defined and otherwise limited in Section 44-53-110, 44-53-210(d)(1), or 44-53-210(d)(2), is guilty of a felony which is known as 'trafficking in methamphetamine or cocaine base' and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:
(1) ten grams or more, but less than twenty-eight grams:
(a) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;
(b) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(c) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(2) twenty-eight grams or more, but less than one hundred grams:
(a) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(b) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(c) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(3) one hundred grams or more, but less than two hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(4) two hundred grams or more, but less than four hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;
(5) four hundred grams or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.
(D) Possession of equipment or paraphernalia used in the manufacture of cocaine, cocaine base, or methamphetamine is prima facie evidence of intent to manufacture.
(E)(1) It is unlawful for any person, other than a manufacturer, practitioner, dispenser, distributor, or retailer to knowingly possess any product that contains twelve grams or more of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, their salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows if the quantity involved is:
(a) twelve grams or more, but less than twenty-eight grams:
(i) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than three years nor more than ten years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars;
(ii) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(b) twenty-eight grams or more, but less than one hundred grams:
(i) for a first offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(ii) for a second offense, a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years nor more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(iii) for a third or subsequent offense, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years and not more than thirty years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(c) one hundred grams or more, but less than two hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of fifty thousand dollars;
(d) two hundred grams or more, but less than four hundred grams, a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of one hundred thousand dollars;
(e) four hundred grams or more, a term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years with a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, no part of which may be suspended nor probation granted, and a fine of two hundred thousand dollars.
(2) This subsection does not apply to:
(a) a consumer who possesses products:
(i) containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine in a manner consistent with typical medicinal or household use, as indicated by storage location, and possession of the products in a variety of strengths, brands, types, purposes, and expiration dates; or
(ii) for agricultural use containing anhydrous ammonia if the consumer has reformulated the anhydrous ammonia by means of additive so as effectively to prevent the conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, salts of isomers, or its precursors, or the precursors' salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances; or
(b) products labeled for pediatric use pursuant to federal regulations and according to label instructions primarily intended for administration to children under twelve years of age; or
(c) products that the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Department of Health and Environmental Control, upon application of a manufacturer, exempts because the product is formulated in such a way as to effectively prevent the conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, salts of isomers, or its precursors, or the precursors' salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, or a combination of any of these substances.
(3) This subsection preempts all local ordinances or regulations governing the possession of any product that contains ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine.
(F) Except for a first offense, as provided in subsection (A) of this section, sentences for violation of the provisions of this section may not be suspended and probation may not be granted. A person convicted and sentenced under this subsection to a mandatory term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of twenty-five years, or a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of not less than twenty-five years nor more than thirty years is not eligible for parole, extended work release as provided in Section 24-13-610, or supervised furlough as provided in Section 24-13-710.
(G) A person eighteen years of age or older may be charged with unlawful conduct toward a child pursuant to Section 20-7-50, if a child was present at any time during the unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine."
Controlled substances, second or subsequent offenses, penalties
SECTION 6. Section 44-53-470 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 44-53-470. An offense is considered a second or subsequent offense if:
(1) for a possession offense pursuant to the provisions of this article, the offender has been convicted within the previous ten years of a violation of a provision of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, or hallucinogenic drugs; and
(2) for all other offenses pursuant to the provisions of this article, the offender has at any time been convicted of a violation of a provision of this article or of another state or federal statute relating to narcotic drugs, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, or hallucinogenic drugs."
Controlled substances, attempt to possess a controlled substance, penalties
SECTION 7. Section 44-53-420 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 44-53-420. (A) Except as provided in subsection (B), a person who attempts or conspires to commit an offense made unlawful by the provisions of this article, upon conviction, shall be fined or imprisoned in the same manner as for the offense planned or attempted; but the fine or imprisonment shall not exceed one half of the punishment prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the attempt or conspiracy.
(B) A person who attempts to possess a substance made unlawful by the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."
Taxation, income tax credits, agricultural use of anhydrous ammonia
SECTION 8. A. Article 25, Chapter 6, Title 12 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 12-6-3582. (A) A resident taxpayer engaged in the business of farming is allowed a refundable income tax credit equal to the amount expended by the taxpayer to obtain the additive required to comply with the provisions of Section 44-53-375(E)(2)(a)(ii) for the agricultural use of anhydrous ammonia. The credit may be claimed against the taxes due pursuant to Section 12-6-510 or 12-6-530.
(B) If no taxes are due, or the credit exceeds the tax liability of the taxpayer for the taxable year, the amount of the credit or excess over the tax liability must be refunded to the taxpayer.
(C) The department may require the documentation it determines necessary for the proper administration of this credit."
B. This section takes effect upon approval of this act by the Governor and applies for taxable years beginning after 2004.
Time effective
SECTION 9. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Ratified the 2nd day of June, 2005.
Approved the 7th day of June, 2005.
This web page was last updated on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 3:25 P.M.