Federal · Title 21 — Food and Drugs

21 U.S.C. § 859: Distribution to persons under age twenty-one

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

An adult who distributes controlled substances to someone under 21 faces doubled or tripled penalties from the base drug distribution law, with mandatory minimum sentences of at least one year imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

Except as provided in section 860 of this title , any person at least eighteen years of age who violates section 841(a)(1) of this title by distributing a controlled substance to a person under twenty-one years of age is (except as provided in subsection (b)) subject to (1) twice the maximum punishment authorized by section 841(b) of this title , and (2) at least twice any term of supervised release authorized by section 841(b) of this title , for a first offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule. Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by section 841(b) of this title , a term of imprisonment under this subsection shall be not less than one year. The mandatory minimum sentencing provisions of this subsection shall not apply to offenses involving 5 grams or less of marihuana. Except as provided in section 860 of this title , any person at least eighteen years of age who violates section 841(a)(1) of this title by distributing a controlled substance to a person under twenty-one years of age after a prior conviction under subsection (a) of this section (or under section 333(b) of this title as in effect prior to May 1, 1971 ) has become final, is subject to (1) three times the maximum punishment authorized by section 841(b) of this title , and (2) at least three times any term of supervised release authorized by section 841(b) of this title , for a second or subsequent offense involving the same controlled substance and schedule. Except to the extent a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided by section 841(b) of this title , a term of imprisonment under this subsection shall be not less than one year. Penalties for third and subsequent convictions shall be governed by section 841(b)(1)(A) of this title .

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