Idaho has some pretty tough drug laws that you need to know about, especially if you’re ever in a situation where you’re facing charges. If you get arrested for something like drug possession or trafficking, it’s really important to understand what you’re being charged with and what your rights are. Idaho’s laws can be complicated and harsh, so trying to deal with it on your own isn’t a good idea.
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One of the most common things people get in trouble for in Idaho is possession of a controlled substance. This basically means having drugs that you’re not supposed to have unless a doctor gave them to you with a prescription. Whether you get charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the type of drug and how much of it you have. A small amount might just be a misdemeanor, but if you’ve got more or if it’s a stronger drug, you could be looking at a felony charge.
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Idaho also has laws that make it illegal to be somewhere where you know drugs are being made, used, or sold. So even if you’re not doing drugs yourself, just being in the wrong place at the wrong time can get you in trouble. On top of that, it’s against the law to have drug paraphernalia, which is basically anything that could be used to make, store, or use drugs.
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If you’re caught with a certain amount of drugs, the law might assume you’re planning to sell them, which is called possession with intent to distribute. This comes with much harsher penalties. And if you’re caught doing this where kids are around, the situation can get even more serious.
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Unlike some other states, Idaho still has strict laws against marijuana. Whether you have a little bit or a lot, you can get charged, and the punishment varies based on how much you have. It’s not just illegal drugs that can get you into trouble either—misusing prescription drugs, even if they were prescribed to you, can lead to charges.
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Drug trafficking is another big deal in Idaho. This is when you have a large amount of drugs, and it’s a very serious crime with mandatory prison time. The penalties depend on what kind of drug it is and how much you have.