What is a
Controlled Substance?

What is a Controlled Substance?

A controlled substance is any substance named or described in state or federal drug abuse laws controlling the manufacture, distribution, preparation, dispensing, or administration of such substances. It is generally unlawful for any person to knowingly or intentionally:
 

	Possess a listed chemical with the intent to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.
	Possess or distribute a listed chemical knowing, or having reasonable cause to believe, that the listed chemical will be used to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance.

Title 21 of the United States Code, Controlled Substances Act identifies controlled substances and includes the following:

Marihuana or Marijuana

The term marihuana refers to all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin. Such term does not include the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.

Narcotic Drugs

See Narcotics

A listed precursor chemical is a chemical that may be used in manufacturing a controlled substance in violation of federal drug abuse laws and is critical to the creation of the controlled substance, and such term includes any salt, optical isomer, or salt of an optical isomer, whenever the existence of such salt, optical isomer, or salt of optical isomer is possible within the specific chemical designation. The following are listed precursor chemicals:

	Anhydrous ammonia.
	Anthranilic acid.
	Benzyl chloride.
	Benzyl cyanide.
	Chloroephedrine.
	Chloropseudoephedrine.
	Ephedrine.
	Ergonovine.
	Ergotamine.
	Ethylamine.
	Isosafrole.
	Methylamine.
	3, 4-Methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone.
	N-acetylanthranilic acid.
	N-ethylephedrine.
	N-ethylpseudoephedrine.
	N-methylephedrine.
	N-methylpseudoephedrine.
	Norpseudoephedrine.
	Phenylacetic acid.
	Phenylpropanolamine.
	Piperidine.
	Piperonal.
	Propionic anhydride.
	Pseudoephedrine.
	Safrole.

Essential chemicals

A listed essential chemical is a chemical that may be used as a solvent, reagent, or catalyst in manufacturing a controlled substance violation of federal drug abuse laws. The following are listed essential chemicals:

	Acetic anhydride.
	Acetone.
	2-Butanone.
	Ethyl ether.
	Hydriodic acid.
	Potassium permanganate.
	Toluene.

Anabolic Steroids

The term anabolic steroid refers to any drug or hormonal substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone (other than estrogens, progestins, and corticosteroids) that promotes muscle growth, and includes:

	Boldenone.
	Chlorotestosterone.
	Clostebol.
	Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone.
	Dihydrotestosterone.
	Drostanolone.
	Ethylestrenol.
	Fluoxymesterone.
	Formebulone.
	Mesterolone.
	Methandienone.
	Methandranone.
	Methandriol.
	Methandrostenolone.
	Methenolone.
	Methyltestosterone.
	Mibolerone.
	Nandrolone.
	Norethandrolone.
	Oxandrolone.
	Oxymesterone.
	Oxymetholone.
	Stanolone.
	Stanozolol.
	Testolactone.
	Testosterone.
	Trenbolone.
	Any salt, ester, or isomer of a drug or substance described or listed, if that salt, ester, or isomer promotes muscle growth.

Important Notice

This information is generic.  It is compiled from the laws of several states and may or may not apply to this particular city, county, state or your individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws in Pennsylvania.  It is not intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for qualified legal counsel.  Your access to and use of this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions found in our Terms of Use.  Please read it now.

Where can I get legal advice about my Criminal Law matter or case?

If you have a Criminal Law matter or case and you want legal advice for your specific situation, please contact the law firm below to schedule a free consultation or click on the ad to learn more.  

Using the Criminal Law Help Center - You'll find information on common legal issues and topics of general interest to Philadelphia residents.  The Philadelphia Criminal Law Help Center is provided for your general information only.  This information is generic.  It is compiled from the laws of several states and may or may not apply to this particular city, county, state or your individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws in Pennsylvania.  It is not intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for qualified legal counsel.  Your access to and use of this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions found in our Terms of Use.  Please read it now.

Search for a Specific Legal Issue - We've included a powerful text search feature that lets you search every page in the Philadelphia Criminal Law Help Center web site for words or combinations of words that you enter into the search form. Click the Search button above to use our web site search engine to help you find the legal information, legal issue or legal representation that you need.  If you want to search a different city's Help Center click here to select another city.