US · guidelines
U.S.S.G. §2D2.1
Unlawful Possession; Attempt or Conspiracy
(a) Base Offense Level:
(1) 8, if the substance is heroin or any Schedule I or II opiate, an analogue
of these, or cocaine base; or
(2) 6, if the substance is cocaine, flunitrazepam, LSD, or PCP; or
(3) 4, if the substance is any other controlled substance or a list I chemical.
(b) Cross Reference
(1) If the offense involved possession of a controlled substance in a prison,
correctional facility, or detention facility, apply §2P1.2 (Providing or
Possessing Contraband in Prison).
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Background: Mandatory (statutory) minimum penalties for several categories of cases, ranging from
fifteen days’ to three years’ imprisonment, are set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). When a mandatory minimum penalty exceeds the guideline range, the mandatory minimum becomes the guideline sentence.
See §5G1.1(b). Note, however, that 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f) provides an exception to the applicability of
mandatory minimum sentences in certain cases. See §5C1.2 (Limitation on Applicability of Statutory
Minimum Sentences in Certain Cases).
History
Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (amendment 24); November 1, 1989 (amendment 304); November 1, 1990 (amendment 321); November 1, 1992 (amendment 447); September 23, 1994 (amendment 509); November 1, 1995 (amendment 514); November 1, 1997 (amendments 556 and 558); November 1, 2010 (amendments 746 and 748); November 1, 2011 (amendment 750); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836).
Provenance
- Source
- ussc.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-09-20
- Edition
- ussg-2025
- Content hash
9f7017e6931bf03e921b2ca78adecbaa51d354c287caf1bb090b6f94bd120c1c
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