SEN. FARLEY ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSES MEASURES STRENGTHENING PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION AND SALE OF METHAMPHETAMINE

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I – Schenectady) reported that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed a measure (S1150) on March 2nd to give law enforcement more tools to help stop the spread of methamphetamine use. The bill would increase the criminal penalties for possessing and selling methamphetamine and make the penalties the same as crimes involving cocaine and heroin. 

The legislation would amend the penal law to create criminal charges if an individual possesses one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers. It would become a Class D felony to possess a total weight of 100 milligrams or more; a Class C felony to possess a total weight of one gram or more; and a Class A-1 felony to possess a total weight of five ounces or more.

This measure would also amend the penal law to make it a Class B felony if there is an intent to sell one or more preparations, compounds, mixtures, or substances containing methamphetamine, its salts, isomers, or salts of isomers. The actual sale of methamphetamine would be considered a Class B felony if the sale has a total weight of one-eighth ounce or more, and a Class A-1 felony if the sale has a total weight of two ounces or more.

The bill will be sent to the Assembly.