Senate Passes Measures Strengthening Penalties for Possession and Sale of Methamphetamine

The New York State Senate today passed a measure (S1150), sponsored by Senator Tom O'Mara (R-C-I, Big Flats), 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.  

Senator O’Mara said, “We’ve been witnessing an alarming increase across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions and statewide over the past few years in the production, sale, and use of meth, as well as heroin and other illegal drugs. Law enforcement officers throughout our communities continue to do outstanding work on public awareness, education, enforcement and protection. I’m hopeful that tougher anti-meth laws will help in the punishment of meth crimes and act as a stronger deterrent among our young people at risk of falling prey to this cycle of addiction, violence and tragedy.”

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.