In 2018, Massachusetts overhauled its sentencing system for drug crimes. Among other things, sentencing ranges for a wide range of drug offenses were changed and fentanyl was reclassified as a Class A substance. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is no longer a criminal offense.
The chart below summarizes the new sentence ranges for many of the most common drug crimes. This list is not exhaustive and is always subject to change. You should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to make sure you are receiving full and complete advice regarding potential sentencing exposure. Please also note the chart does not include potential periods of probation or fines. I
Possession
| Class of Drug | Statute | Penalty |
| Class A (other than Heroin) | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-1 year HOC |
| Heroin | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-2 years HOC |
| Heroin 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 2 ½ – 5 years prison or 0-2½ HOC Note: No mandatory language |
| Class B | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-1 year HOC |
| Class C | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-1 year HOC |
| Class D | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-1 year HOC |
| Class E | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-6 months HOC |
| 2nd/Subsequent Class A, B, C, or D | G.L. c. 94C, §34 | 0-2 years HOC |
Distribution / Possession with Intent
| Class of Drug | Statute | Penalty |
| Class A (Now includes Fentanyl, Carfentanil, etc.) | G.L. c. 94C, §32(a) | 0-10 years prison or 0-2 ½ years HOC |
| Class A 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §32(b) | 3 ½ -15 years prison – True Mandatory |
| Class B | G.L. c. 94C, §32A(a) | 0-10 years prison or 0-2 ½ years HOC |
| Class B 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §32A(b) | 0-10 years prison – no HOC alternative |
| Class B – Cocaine or Meth | G.L. c. 94C, §32A(c) | 0-10 years prison or 0-2 ½ years HOC |
| Class B – Cocaine or Meth 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §32A(d) | 0-15 years prison – no HOC alternative |
| Class C | G.L. c. 94C, §32B | 0-5 years prison or 0-2 ½ years HOC |
| Class C 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §32B(b) | 0-10 years prison or 0-2 ½ years HOC |
| Class D | G.L. c.94C, §32C | 0-2 years HOC |
| Class D 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §32C(b) | 0-2 ½ years HOC |
| Class E | G.L. c. 94C, §32D | 0-9 months HOC |
| Class E 2nd/Subsequent | G.L. c. 94C, §32D(b) | 0-1 ½ years HOC |
Trafficking
Note: These mandatories all include “true mandatory” language
| Class of Drug | Statute | Penalty |
| Marijuana – 50-100lbs | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(a)(1) | 2 ½ -15 years prison or 1-2 ½ years HOC |
| Marijuana – 100-2000lbs | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(a)(2) | 2-15 years prison |
| Marijuana – 2000-10,000lbs | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(a)(3) | 3 ½-15 years prison |
| Marijuana – + 10,000lbs | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(a)(4) | 8-15 years prison |
| Cocaine/Meth – 18-36g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(b)(1) | 2-15 years prison |
| Cocaine/Meth – 36-100g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(b)(2) | 3 ½-20 years prison |
| Cocaine/Meth – 100-200g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(b)(3) | 8-20 years prison |
| Cocaine/Meth – 200+g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(b)(4) | 12-20 years prison |
| Heroin, etc. – 18-36g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(c)(1) | 3 ½-30 years prison |
| Heroin, etc. – 36-100g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(c)(2) | 5-30 years prison |
| Heroin, etc. – 100-200g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(c)(3) | 8-30 years prison |
| Heroin, etc. – 200+g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(c)(4) | 12-30 years prison |
| Fentanyl/Carfentanil – 10+g | G.L. c. 94C, §32E(c)(½) | 3 ½-20 years prison |
