DC and Federal Laws
Types of Drugs
Schedule I
High abuse potential and no approved medical uses.- Heroin (a narcotic), opiates and opium and its derivatives: Junk, Horse, Smack, Scag, Sugar
- GHB (Gamma hydroxybutyric acid): G, Liquid X, Liquid Ecstasy, Grievous Bodily Harm, Georgia Home Boy, Scoop, the date rape drug
- Marijuana and all derivatives: THC, Hashish, Hashish Oil, Hash, Pot, Acapulco Gold, Grass, Weed, Joint, Mary Jane, Reefer
- Hallucinogens: LSD (Acid, Microdot, Cubes), Peyote, Mescaline, Psilocybin (Mushrooms), Phencyclidine (PCP, Angel Dust, Hog, Purple Rain, Crazy Eddie, Hellraiser, Untouchable, Lethal Weapon), MDMA (Ecstasy)
- Methaqualone (Quaaludes)
Schedule I Risks
Use may lead to physical and/or psychological dependence.
- Narcotics: Can cause dependence. Withdrawal from certain narcotics can be life-threatening. Single doses can produce impaired cognitive and motor functioning and fluctuations in mood and awareness. Higher doses can cause respiratory arrest.
- A behavioral depressant and a hypnotic: Can cause aggression and violence, may render a victim unconscious within 20 minutes, and may cause death. The drug is colorless and odorless.
- Marijuana: Single doses can impair cognitive functioning, learning motivation and motor abilities. Very large doses can cause confusion, restlessness, hallucinations and panic reactions. Possible depression of the immune system, chromosome damage, reduced sperm count in males.
- Hallucinogens: Increased blood pressure, muscular weakness, trembling, nausea, chills, impaired mood and unpredictable changes in emotions and sensations. Possible "flashbacks" some time after use.
- Barbiturates: Can cause dependence with withdrawal symptoms. Larger doses cause slurred speech, slowed reactions and excessive sleep. Large doses or doses with alcohol or other sedative hypnotics can result in respiratory depression and death.
Schedule II
High potential for abuse. Written prescriptions required, and no refills allowed.
- Narcotics: including morphine, methadone, meperidine (Demerol), codeine, oxycodone (Percodan, Percocet), fentanyl, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), opiates and opium and its derivatives
- Barbiturates: (Reds, Yellow Jackets, Barbs, Downers) secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal)
- Stimulants amphetamines: (Speed, Bennies, Uppers, Black Beauties, Pep Pills)
- Cocaine and coca products: (Crack, Coke, Flake, Snow, Freebase, Lady) cocaine hydrochloride (Ice)
Schedule II Risks
Use may leas to severe physical and/or psychological dependence.
- Narcotics: See above under Schedule I
- Barbiturates: See above under Schedule I
- Stimulants: Can cause irritability, impaired judgment, impulsivity and grandiosity. Increased blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, respiration, sweating. Have been linked to cardiovascular problems and convulsions, which can be lethal. Repeated dosing can lead to dependence as well as a paranoid psychosis.
Schedule III
Some potential for abuse. Prescriptions required, and up to five renewals within six months allowed.
- Medications containing small amounts of narcotics, including Tylenol #3, Empirin with codeine, codeine-based cough suppressants such as Tusslonex and Hycomine
- Medications containing small amounts of barbiturates, such as Florinal Anabolic steroids
Schedule III Risks
Use may lead to low-to-moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
- Narcotics: See above under Schedule I
- Barbiturates: See above under Schedule I
- Steroids: The liver and the cardiovascular and reproductive systems are most severely affected. In males can cause sterility and impotence; in females irreversible masculine traits, menstrual irregularities, breast reduction and sterility. Psychological effects include aggression, combative behavior and depression. May also cause strokes, heart attacks, liver cancer, skin problems and arrested bone development during adolescence.
Schedule IV
Low potential for abuse. Prescriptions required, and up to five renewals within six months allowed.
- Sedative-hypnotics (Tranks, Downers): diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), triazolam (Halcion), tempazepam (Restoril), meprobamate (Equanil), ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) and oxazepam (Serax).
- Stimulants: including phentermine (Loamin), and diethylpropion (Tenuate)
- Narcotics: including pentazocine (Talwin) and propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet)
Schedule IV Risks
Use may lead to physical and/or psychological addiction.
- Sedative-hypnotics: Includes benzodiazepines and other similar substances. These can cause dependence with associated withdrawal symptoms; withdrawal can be life-threatening. Small doses tend to be relaxing; larger doses cause slurred speech, slowed reactions and sleep. Can produce dependence. Large doses or doses in combination with alcohol and other sedative hypnotics can result in respiratory depression and death.
- Stimulants: See above under Schedule II
- Narcotics: See above under Schedule I
Schedule V
Abuse potential low. Prescriptions may or may not be required.
- Compounds that contain very limited amounts of codeine, dihydrocodeine, ethylmorphine, opium, and atropine, such as Terpine Hydrate with codeine, Robitussin AC
Schedule V Risks
Use may lead to physical and/or psychological addition. Can cause nausea, gastrointestinal symptoms, drowsiness; withdrawal symptoms include runny nose, watery eyes, panic, chills, cramps, irritability.
Federal Drug Penalties and Fact Sheets
DC and Marijuana Update
Note: On July 17, 2014 possession of one ounce or less of marijuana in DC (while not in public) was decriminalized but is still a civil violation and a violation of federal law. See the MPD Summary Fact Sheet. Possession of this substance is also still a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. On Nov 4, 2104, D.C. voters passed D.C. Initiative 71 which would make it legal in DC to:
- possess up to two ounces of marijuana for personal use;
- grow no more than six cannabis plants with 3 or fewer being mature, flowering plants, within the person's principal residence;
- transfer without payment (but not sell) up to one ounce of marijuana to another person 21 years of age or older; and
- use or sell drug paraphernalia for the use, growing, or processing of marijuana or cannabis.
Initiative 71 is under Congressional Review, thus the voter initiative has not been fully approved. Congress has proposed blocking the use of funds to implement the law. For updates on the law see the DC Council web page.
Please note the Student Code of Conduct is still applicable on campus regardless of DC Initiative 71.
Maryland Marijuana Update
On October 1, 2014 the Maryland law regulating the use of marijuana changed. It is no longer a criminal offense to possess 10 grams or less of marijuana. Instead, it is a civil offense and a citation or fine will be issued. Regardless, the Code of Student Conduct forbids the possession of marijuana on campus. See the Maryland General Assembly web page for more information.
Age Limit on Alcohol Use in the District
DC Code §25-1002 (a) No person who is under 21 years of age shall purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or drink an alcoholic beverage in the District, except as provided under subchapter IX of Chapter 7. A person under 21 cannot enter a liquor store during school hours.
ID Requirements for Individuals
- § §25-1002 (b) (1) No person shall falsely represent his or her age, or possess or present as proof of age an identification document which is in any way fraudulent, for the purpose of purchasing, possessing, or drinking an alcoholic beverage in the District.§ §25-1002 (2) No person shall present a fraudulent identification document for the purpose of entering an establishment possessing an on-premises retailer's license, an Arena C/X license, or a temporary license. Individual Fake ID Penalty for Individuals Under 21
- §25-1002(c)(4)(D): No person under the age of 21 shall be criminally charged with the offense of possession or drinking an alcoholic beverage under this section, but shall be subject to civil penalties under subsection (e) of this section.
- §25-1002 (e) (1) In lieu of criminal prosecution as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a person who violates any provision of this section shall be subject to the following civil penalties:
- (A) Upon the first violation, a fine of not more than $ 300 and the suspension of driving privileges in the District for 90 consecutive days;
- (B) Upon the second violation, a fine of not more than $ 600 and the suspension of driving privileges in the District for 180 days; and
- (C) Upon the third or subsequent violation, a fine of not more than $ 1,000 and the suspension of driving privileges in the District for one year.
- (2) ABRA inspectors or officers of the Metropolitan Police Department may enforce the provisions of this subsection by issuing a notice of civil infraction for a violation of subsections (a) and (b) of this section in accordance with Chapter 18 of Title 2. A violation of this subsection shall be adjudicated under Chapter 18 of Title 2.
- (3) (A) In lieu of or in addition to the civil penalties provided under paragraph (1) of this subsection, as a civil penalty, the Mayor may require any person who violates any provision of this section to complete a diversion program authorized and approved by the Mayor. The Mayor shall determine the content of the diversion program, which may include community service, and alcohol awareness and education.
- (B) As a condition to acceptance into a diversion program, the Mayor may request that the person agree to pay the District, or its agents, a reasonable fee, as established by rule, for the costs to the District of the person's participation in the program; provided, that:
- (i) The fee shall not unreasonably discourage persons from entering the diversion program; and
- (ii) The Mayor may reduce or waive the fee if the Mayor finds that the person is indigent. 21 year old making alcohol available to minors (penalties)
- (B) As a condition to acceptance into a diversion program, the Mayor may request that the person agree to pay the District, or its agents, a reasonable fee, as established by rule, for the costs to the District of the person's participation in the program; provided, that:
Providing Alcohol to Persons Under 21
25-785 (a) A person who is not a licensee shall not, within the District, purchase an alcoholic beverage for the purpose of delivering the alcoholic beverage to a person who is under 21 years of age.
§25-785 (b) A person who is a licensee shall not, within the District, offer, give, provide, or otherwise make available an alcoholic beverage to a person who is under 21 years of age, except if necessary to allow the person to perform lawful employment responsibilities that require the person to have temporary possession of alcoholic beverages.