Is Methamphetamine legal in United States?
Also known as: meth
- Legal status
- Controlled. Schedule II under the Controlled Substances Act, at 21 CFR 1308.12(d)(2). Listed by name. This cell states federal law only. Every state has its own controlled substances act and several differ from the federal schedules, so check the law of the state you are in.
- Consequences if caught
- It is listed by name at 21 CFR 1308.12(d)(2). Methamphetamine is in the weight tables: 50 grams of the substance or 500 grams of a mixture reaches section 841(b)(1)(A), and 5 grams or 50 grams of a mixture reaches section 841(b)(1)(B). Supply is 21 USC 841. Unless the substance appears in the weight tables of section 841(b)(1)(A) or (B), it falls to section 841(b)(1)(C) at up to 20 years, rising to not less than twenty years and up to life if death or serious bodily injury results. Simple possession is 21 USC 844(a), up to 1 year and a fine of at least 1,000 dollars on a first offence, with higher figures after a prior conviction. The section excepts a substance 'obtained directly, or pursuant to a valid prescription or order, from a practitioner, while acting in the course of his professional practice'.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescription supply through the licensed channel is lawful. 21 USC 844(a) excepts a substance obtained on a valid prescription from a practitioner acting in the course of professional practice, and handling outside that channel is an offence under 21 USC 841 and the registration provisions at 21 USC 822 and 823.
- Documentation
- Carry any prescribed medicine in its original labelled container with the prescription. Federal law and the law of the state you are entering can differ, so confirm both before travel.
- Controlled Substances Act, 21 USC 802, 812, 813, 841 and 844 (Office of the Law Revision Counsel)
- 21 CFR 1308.11 to 1308.15 (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, current as of 11 September 2026)
- 91 FR 22714, 28 April 2026, for marijuana in an approved product or under a state medical licence
- uscode.house.gov
- ecfr.gov
- federalregister.gov
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What sentences have courts imposed for Methamphetamine in United States?
Prosecutions recorded in United States, each checked against the official document cited below it. Individuals are never named, and these are examples of what has happened, not a prediction of what will. How we verify a court case.
Across 17 verified cases, sentences ranged from 70 months to 240 months.
Traffic stop after leaving suspected stash house; pulaski county, arkansas. That produced 568.8 g methamphetamine confirmed by DEA lab and a 2025 charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, on which the court imposed 240 months federal imprisonment, consecutive to state sentence; 5 years supervised release.
2025a 46-year-old from Jacksonville, Arkansasconvicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 240 months federal imprisonment, consecutive to state sentence; 5 years supervised release
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Seizure of 148.6 g methamphetamine followed a business in hugo, oklahoma. The count was one count of possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, the year 2025, the sentence 123 months imprisonment.
2025a 61-year-old from Tyler, Texasconvicted of one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, 123 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
For possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it in 2024, 10 years federal imprisonment; 6 years supervised release. The record notes controlled sales to a confidential informant in jefferson county, kentucky and 691 g methamphetamine across two controlled purchases.
2024a 34-year-old from Louisville, Kentuckyconvicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, 10 years federal imprisonment; 6 years supervised release
Substances recorded methamphetamine
A count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it was proved on 2024 facts: controlled sales to a confidential informant in jefferson county, kentucky, 656 g methamphetamine across two controlled purchases. The sentence imposed was 15 years 10 months federal imprisonment; 6 years supervised release.
2024a 35-year-old from Louisville, Kentuckyconvicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, 15 years 10 months federal imprisonment; 6 years supervised release
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine was the conviction. It concerned 2024 conduct and approximately 200 lb methamphetamine reported in current offense facts; conviction threshold 500 g or more, established after vehicle on interstate 80 in seward county, nebraska. Sentence: 135 months imprisonment; 3 years supervised release.
2024a 45-year-old from Mexicoconvicted of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 135 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
2024: package delivered to residence in hazlehurst, georgia. over 2 kg / over 4 lb 100% pure methamphetamine hidden in horse saddle was seized and the count charged was possession and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The court imposed 215 months imprisonment.
2024a 37-year-old from Mexican national living in Hazlehurst, Georgiaconvicted of possession and attempt to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 215 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
The court dealt with possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine committed in 2024. camper in spencer, iowa searched pursuant to warrant, yielding approximately 45 g methamphetamine. The term was 105 months imprisonment; 3 years supervised release.
2024a 33-year-old from Spencer, Iowaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine, 105 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Convicted for conduct in 2024. The count was possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; vehicle in thompson electric parking lot, sioux city; just under 1 lb methamphetamine. 210 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release was imposed.
2024a 35-year-old from Sioux City, Iowaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 210 months imprisonment; 10 years supervised release
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine over 2024 conduct, the defendant was found with 14 lb mixture containing methamphetamine after possession admitted on or about february 23, 2024; precise catch location not stated in release. The court imposed 126 months imprisonment; 5 years supervised release.
2024a 39-year-old from Omaha, Nebraskaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 126 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Traffic stop on louisiana highway 182, and 58 g pure methamphetamine hidden in trunk was accounted for. That 2021 conduct supported a conviction for possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, punished by 210 months imprisonment; 5 years supervised release; $100 special assessment.
2021a 36-year-old from Houma, Louisianaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, 210 months imprisonment; $100 special assessment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Show all 7 further verified records not listed above
These cleared the same checks as the 10 above. They are listed separately only because this page shows 10 in full by default. The 10 shown first are not a representative sample: they are ordered by recency, then by severity, then by how much each differs from the ones already listed, so the records below are systematically older and carry lower sentences.
Conduct in 2024 led here: residence in yamhill county/mcminnville searched pursuant to warrant, over 1 lb methamphetamine recovered, a conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and 120 months federal imprisonment. 5 years supervised release.
2024a 52-year-old from McMinnville, Oregonconvicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 120 months federal imprisonment; 5 years supervised release
Substances recorded methamphetamine
2023 conduct, vehicle stopped on interstate 80 in seward county, nebraska, more than 500 g methamphetamine mixture. 14 wrapped packages found: the count was possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a methamphetamine mixture, and the disposition 70 months imprisonment; 4 years supervised release.
2023a 44-year-old from San Bernadino, Californiaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a methamphetamine mixture, 70 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
The 2022 count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine was established after red camaro traffic stop in lancaster county, nebraska. 193.7 g methamphetamine was recorded. The court imposed 72 months imprisonment; 5 years supervised release.
2022a 40-year-old from Omaha, Nebraskaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, 72 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Evidence of 497 g methamphetamine followed william e. donaldson correctional facility, bessemer, alabama. The 2020 offence, distribution of fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, attracted 87 months imprisonment.
2020a 36-year-oldconvicted of distribution of fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, 87 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Sentencing followed a conviction for distribution of methamphetamine. The conduct is dated 2020; parking lot in cape girardeau, missouri; the amount was 55 g methamphetamine. Term imposed: 144 months imprisonment.
2020a 46-year-old from Sikeston, Missouriconvicted of distribution of methamphetamine, 144 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Investigators recorded 2 oz methamphetamine, 98% pure once moss point, mississippi; undercover purchase. Conviction followed on possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine for 2019 conduct, with 127 months imprisonment.
2019a 41-year-old from Jacksonville, Floridaconvicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, 127 months imprisonment
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Sentenced to 70 months federal imprisonment; 4 years supervised release for distribution of methamphetamine. The offence falls in 2019; the quantity was 5 lb methamphetamine described by release; foreclosed property in aumsville, oregon.
2019a 36-year-old from Coachella, Californiaconvicted of distribution of methamphetamine, 70 months federal imprisonment; 4 years supervised release
Substances recorded methamphetamine
Methamphetamine in related jurisdictions
Other substances confirmed in United States
Same substance, other countries
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United States’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
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If you’re detained or arrested abroad
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