The term designer drug was first used in the 1980’s by police officers who were describing drugs which were changed into order to make them legal. Our New York Designer Drug Possession Lawyer staff describes designer drugs as a drug that was changed in order to make legal and retain the same effects as an illegal drug. Designer drugs may not be illegal because the chemical makeup of the drug has not been officially banned. The first designer drugs were synthetic forms of heroin.
The Controlled Substance Act regulates that production, sale and use of all drugs in the United States. This Act divides drugs into different classifications or schedules, based on the drug’s likelihood for abuse and medical use. The original Act was very specific regarding the names of controlled substances and drugs and provides drug users and drug sellers with a legal loophole. In order to close this loophole, the Federal Analog Act was enacted, which bans designer drugs by stating that any drug is illegal which is chemically similar to an illegal drugs. However, the Act allows drugs that have a valid medical use to not be banned under U.S. law.
According to our New York Designer Drug Lawyer Possession staff, designer drugs are often referred to as research chemicals on the internet. Research chemicals often resemble hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, Ecstasy or Psychedelic Mushrooms. Many sellers of these designer drugs believe they can effectively argue that the drug is not approved for human consumption but in most cases, this is not a valid defense.
Law enforcement agencies are increasingly cracking down on the prevalence of designer drugs. If you have been arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a synthetic drug, manufacturing of a synthetic drug or drug selling, contact our New York Designer Drug Possession Lawyer staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC. Our Criminal defense lawyers are experienced in defending individuals charged with a variety of drug offenses or drug-related crimes.
Some may have a difficult time in keeping up with the changing chemical make-up of these synthetic drugs, New York lawmakers are enacting laws to prevent its usage. Lawmakers are banning a range of synthetic chemicals and making the sale or possession of the drugs illegal. Some of these new laws are making the possession of these designer drugs a misdemeanor charge. But any criminal charge can result in negative effects on an individual’s life. A person charged with a drug crime can lose their job, lose new job opportunities, be unable to obtain loans, face public ridicule, lose family support and face jail time and fines.
If you or a loved one are facing a designer drug or analog drug criminal charge, contact our New York Drug Crime Lawyer staff at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to learn about your legal defense options. Please call us at 800.696.9529 or contact one of our New York City offices serving Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx or Brooklyn, or in Westchester County or one of our Long Island offices in Nassau County or Suffolk County.