(a) It is an offense for a defendant to knowingly:

Attorney's Note

Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
class A felony15 to 60 yearsup to $50,000
class B felony8 to 30 yearsup to $25,000
class C felony3 to 15 yearsup to $10,000
class D felony2 to 12 yearsup to $5,000
class E felony1 to 6 yearsup to $3,000
For details, see Tenn. Code § 40-35-111
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 39-17-417

  • Bodily injury: includes a cut, abrasion, bruise, burn or disfigurement, and physical pain or temporary illness or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Controlled substance: means a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through VII of §. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Deadly weapon: means :
    (A) A firearm or anything manifestly designed, made or adapted for the purpose of inflicting death or serious bodily injury. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Defendant: means a person accused of an offense under this title and includes any person who aids or abets the commission of such offense. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • delivery: means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer from one person to another of a controlled substance, whether or not there is an agency relationship. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Drug: means :
    (A) Substances recognized as drugs in the United States Pharmacopoeia, official Homeopaths Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Manufacture: means the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion or processing of a controlled substance, either directly or indirectly by extraction from substances of natural origin, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, and includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance or labeling or relabeling of its container, except that "manufacture" does not include the preparation or compounding of a controlled substance by an individual for the individual's own use or the preparation, compounding, packaging, or labeling of a controlled substance by:
    (A) A practitioner as an incident to administering or dispensing a controlled substance in the course of professional practice. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Marijuana: means all parts of the plant cannabis, whether growing or not. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Owner: means a person, other than the defendant, who has possession of or any interest other than a mortgage, deed of trust or security interest in property, even though that possession or interest is unlawful and without whose consent the defendant has no authority to exert control over the property. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Person: means an individual, corporation, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association or any other legal entity. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Property: means anything of value, including, but not limited to, money, real estate, tangible or intangible personal property, including anything severed from land, library material, contract rights, choses-in-action, interests in or claims to wealth, credit, admission or transportation tickets, captured or domestic animals, food and drink, electric or other power. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • Record: means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in a perceivable form. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Services: includes labor, skill, professional service, transportation, telephone, mail, gas, electricity, steam, water, cable television, entertainment subscription service or other public services, accommodations in hotels, restaurants or elsewhere, admissions to exhibitions, use of vehicles or other movable property, and any other activity or product considered in the ordinary course of business to be a service, regardless of whether it is listed in this subdivision (a)(38) or a specific statute exists covering the same or similar conduct. See Tennessee Code 39-11-106
  • State: when applied to a part of the United States, includes any state, district, commonwealth, territory, insular possession thereof, and any area subject to the legal authority of the United States. See Tennessee Code 39-17-402
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) Manufacture a controlled substance;
(2) Deliver a controlled substance;
(3) Sell a controlled substance; or
(4) Possess a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver or sell the controlled substance.
(b) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule I controlled substance is a Class B felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(c) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to:

(1) Cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil is a Class B felony if the amount involved is point five (0.5) grams or more of any substance containing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil and, in addition, may be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); and
(2)

(A) Any other Schedule II controlled substance, including cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil in an amount of less than point five (0.5) grams, is a Class C felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); provided, that if the offense involves less than point five (0.5) grams of a controlled substance containing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, or thiafentanil, but the defendant carried or employed a deadly weapon as defined in § 39-11-106, during commission of the offense or the offense resulted in death or bodily injury to another person, then the offense is a Class B felony.
(B) As a part of any sentence imposed for a violation of subdivision (a)(1) involving a controlled substance listed in § 39-17-408(d)(2), the court shall require the defendant to make restitution to any governmental entity for the costs reasonably incurred in cleaning the area in which the offense occurred and in rendering the area safe for human use.
(C) In addition to the requirement that restitution be made to the governmental entity pursuant to subdivision (c)(2)(B), the court shall also require that restitution be made to any private property owner, either real or personal, whose property is destroyed or suffers damage as a result of the offense. In the case of property that was rented or leased, damages may also include the loss of any revenue that occurred because the property was uninhabitable or a crime scene. The type and amount of restitution permitted pursuant to this subdivision (c)(2)(C) shall be determined by the court using the procedure set out in § 40-35-304.
(d)

(1) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule III controlled substance is a Class D felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(2)

(A) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a person charged for the first time with delivering an anabolic steroid or possessing an anabolic steroid with the intent to manufacture, deliver or sell the steroid shall be eligible for pretrial diversion pursuant to title 40, chapter 15, and probation pursuant to title 40, chapter 28 and § 40-35-313.
(B) The inference permitted by the first sentence of § 39-17-419 does not apply to a person charged under subdivision (a)(4) with possession of an anabolic steroid with intent to sell or deliver the steroid. Unless the state can prove that an actual sale or delivery occurred, the person may only be convicted of simple possession and punished as provided in § 39-17-418.
(e) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to:

(1) Flunitrazepam is a Class C felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000); and
(2) Any other Schedule IV controlled substance is a Class D felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(f) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule V controlled substance is a Class E felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(g)

(1) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule VI controlled substance classified as marijuana containing not less than one-half (1/2) ounce (14.175 grams) nor more than ten pounds (10 lbs.) (4535 grams) of marijuana, or a Schedule VI controlled substance defined as a non-leafy, resinous material containing tetrahydrocannabinol (hashish), containing not more than two pounds (2 lbs.) (905 grams) of hashish is a Class E felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
(2) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule VI controlled substance classified as marijuana and containing not less than ten pounds (10 lbs.), one gram (4536 grams) of marijuana nor more than seventy pounds (70 lbs.) (31,696 grams) of marijuana, or a Schedule VI controlled substance defined as a non-leafy, resinous material containing tetrahydrocannabinol (hashish) and containing not less than two pounds (2 lbs.), one gram (906 grams) nor more than four pounds (4 lbs.) (1810 grams) of hashish, or a Schedule VI controlled substance classified as marijuana consisting of not less than ten (10) marijuana plants nor more than nineteen (19) marijuana plants, regardless of weight, is a Class D felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(3) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule VI controlled substance defined as a non-leafy, resinous material containing tetrahydrocannabinol (hashish) and containing not less than four pounds (4 lbs.), one gram (1811 grams) nor more than eight pounds (8 lbs.) (3620 grams) of hashish, or a Schedule VI controlled substance classified as marijuana consisting of not less than twenty (20) marijuana plants nor more than ninety-nine (99) marijuana plants, regardless of weight, is a Class C felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
(h) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to a Schedule VII controlled substance is a Class E felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(i) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to the following amounts of a controlled substance, or conspiracy to violate subsection (a) with respect to such amounts, is a Class B felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000):

(1) Fifteen (15) grams or more of any substance containing heroin;
(2) Fifteen (15) grams or more of any substance containing morphine;
(3) Five (5) grams or more of any substance containing hydromorphone;
(4) Five (5) grams or more of any substance containing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);
(5) Twenty-six (26) grams or more of any substance containing cocaine;
(6) Five (5) grams or more of any substance containing a combination of pentazocine and tripelennamine or joint possession of pentazocine and tripelennamine;
(7) Thirty (30) grams or more of any substance containing phencyclidine;
(8) One hundred (100) grams or more of any substance containing a derivative of barbituric acid or any of the salts of a derivative of barbituric acid;
(9) Fifty (50) grams or more of any substance containing phenmetrazine;
(10) Twenty-six (26) grams or more of any substance containing amphetamine or methamphetamine or any salt of an optical isomer of amphetamine or methamphetamine;
(11) One thousand (1,000) grams or more of any substance containing peyote;
(12) Fifteen (15) grams or more of any substance containing fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or any fentanyl derivative or analogue under § 39-17-406(b)(48);
(13) Two hundred (200) grams or more of any substance containing a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II not listed in subdivisions (i)(1)-(12); or
(14) Not less than seventy pounds (70 lbs.) (31,697 grams) nor more than three hundred pounds (300 lbs.) (136,050 grams) of any substance containing marijuana, or a Schedule VI controlled substance defined as a non-leafy, resinous material containing tetrahydrocannabinol (hashish) and containing not less than eight pounds (8 lbs.), one gram (3621 grams) nor more than fifteen pounds (15 lbs.) (6,792 grams) of any substance containing hashish, or not less than one hundred (100) marijuana plants nor more than four hundred ninety-nine (499) marijuana plants, regardless of weight.
(j) A violation of subsection (a) with respect to the following amounts of a controlled substance, or conspiracy to violate subsection (a) with respect to such amounts is a Class A felony and, in addition, may be fined not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000):

(1) One hundred fifty (150) grams or more of any substance containing heroin;
(2) One hundred fifty (150) grams or more of any substance containing morphine;
(3) Fifty (50) grams or more of any substance containing hydromorphone;
(4) Fifty (50) grams or more of any substance containing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD);
(5) Three hundred (300) grams or more of any substance containing cocaine;
(6) Fifty (50) grams or more of any substance containing a combination of pentazocine and tripelennamine or joint possession of pentazocine and tripelennamine;
(7) Three hundred (300) grams or more of any substance containing phencyclidine;
(8) One thousand (1,000) grams or more of any substance containing a derivative of barbituric acid or any of the salts of a derivative of barbituric acid;
(9) Five hundred (500) grams or more of any substance containing phenmetrazine;
(10) Three hundred (300) grams or more of any substance containing amphetamine or methamphetamine or any salt of an optical isomer of amphetamine or methamphetamine;
(11) Ten thousand (10,000) grams or more of any substance containing peyote;
(12) One hundred fifty (150) grams or more of any substance containing fentanyl, carfentanil, remifentanil, alfentanil, thiafentanil, or any fentanyl derivative or analogue under § 39-17-406(b)(48);
(13) Two thousand (2,000) grams or more of any substance containing a controlled substance classified in Schedule I or II not listed in subdivisions (i)(1)-(12); or
(14) Three hundred pounds (300 lbs.) (136,050 grams) or more of any substance containing marijuana, or a Schedule VI controlled substance defined as a non-leafy, resinous material containing tetrahydrocannabinol (hashish) and containing not less than fifteen pounds (15 lbs.), one gram (6,793 grams) of any substance containing hashish, or five hundred (500) or more marijuana plants, regardless of weight.
(k) A violation of this section or a conspiracy to violate this section where the recipient or the intended recipient of the controlled substance is under eighteen (18) years of age shall be punished one (1) classification higher than provided in subsections (b)-(i).
(l)

(1) If the district attorney general believes that a defendant should be sentenced as a habitual drug offender, the district attorney general shall file notice of the defendant’s record of prior convictions for violations specified in this subsection (l) in conformity with § 40-35-202.
(2) The trial court, upon the request of the district attorney general, shall enter injunctions, restraining orders, directions or prohibitions, or take other actions, including the acceptance of satisfactory performance bonds, liens on real property, security interests in personal property, for the purpose of collecting any fine imposed pursuant to this entire section.
(3) Any person found guilty of a violation of this section that constitutes a Class A or Class B felony or attempts to commit a Class A or Class B violation of this section or conspiracy to commit a Class A or Class B violation of this section and who has at least three (3) prior Class A or Class B felony convictions or any combination thereof under this section or § 39-6-417 [repealed] or under the laws of any other state or jurisdiction, which if committed in this state would have constituted a Class A or Class B felony violation under this section or § 39-6-417 [repealed]; provided, that the prior convictions were for violations committed at different times and on separate occasions at least twenty-four (24) hours apart, shall be found to be an habitual drug offender and shall be sentenced to one range of punishment higher than the range of punishment otherwise provided for in § 40-35-105, and, in addition, shall be fined not more than two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).
(m) The offense described in subdivision (a)(1) with respect to any substance defined in § 39-17-408(d)(2) shall include the preparation or compounding of a controlled substance by an individual for the individual’s own use.
(n)

(1) A violation of subdivision (a)(1) with respect to any amount of methamphetamine shall be punished by confinement for not less than one hundred eighty (180) days, and the person shall serve at least one hundred percent (100%) of the one hundred eighty (180) day minimum.
(2)

(A) The one hundred eighty (180) day minimum sentence required by subdivision (n)(1) shall not be construed to prohibit a person sentenced pursuant to this subsection (n) from participating in a drug or recovery court that is certified by the department of mental health and substance abuse services.
(B) Any person participating in such a court may receive sentence credit for up to the full one hundred eighty (180) day minimum required by subdivision (n)(1).
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