K.S.A. » Chapter 21
Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 21-5705 (2026)

Unlawful cultivation or distribution of controlled substances

✓ current as of May 2026
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21-5705. Unlawful cultivation or distribution of controlled substances. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute any of the following controlled substances or controlled substance analogs thereof:

(1) Opiates, opium or narcotic drugs, or any stimulant designated in K.S.A. 65-4107(d)(1), (d)(3) or (f)(1), and amendments thereto;

(2) any depressant designated in K.S.A. 65-4105(e), 65-4107(e), 65-4109(b) or (c) or 65-4111(b), and amendments thereto;

(3) any stimulant designated in K.S.A. 65-4105(f), 65-4107(d)(2), (d)(4), (d)(5) or (f)(2) or 65-4109(e), and amendments thereto;

(4) any hallucinogenic drug designated in K.S.A. 65-4105(d), 65-4107(g) or 65-4109(g), and amendments thereto;

(5) any substance designated in K.S.A. 65-4105(g) or 65-4111(c), (d), (e), (f) or (g), and amendments thereto;

(6) any anabolic steroids as defined in K.S.A. 65-4109(f), and amendments thereto; or

(7) any substance designated in K.S.A. 65-4105(h), and amendments thereto.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog designated in K.S.A. 65-4113, and amendments thereto.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to cultivate any controlled substance or controlled substance analog listed in subsection (a).

(d) (1) Except as provided further, violation of subsection (a) is a:

(A) Drug severity level 4 felony if the quantity of the material was less than 3.5 grams;

(B) drug severity level 3 felony if the quantity of the material was at least 3.5 grams but less than 100 grams;

(C) drug severity level 2 felony if the quantity of the material was at least 100 grams but less than 1 kilogram; and

(D) drug severity level 1 felony if the quantity of the material was 1 kilogram or more.

(2) Except as provided further, violation of subsection (a) with respect to material containing any quantity of marijuana, or an analog thereof, is a:

(A) Drug severity level 4 felony if the quantity of the material was less than 25 grams;

(B) drug severity level 3 felony if the quantity of the material was at least 25 grams but less than 450 grams;

(C) drug severity level 2 felony if the quantity of the material was at least 450 grams but less than 30 kilograms; and

(D) drug severity level 1 felony if the quantity of the material was 30 kilograms or more.

(3) Except as provided further, violation of subsection (a) with respect to material containing any quantity of a fentanyl-related controlled substance, heroin as defined by K.S.A. 65-4105(c)(12), and amendments thereto, or methamphetamine as defined by K.S.A. 65-4107(d)(3) or (f)(1), and amendments thereto, or an analog thereof, is a:

(A) Drug severity level 4 felony if the quantity of the material was less than 1 gram;

(B) drug severity level 3 felony if the quantity of the material was at least 1 gram but less than 3.5 grams;

(C) drug severity level 2 felony if the quantity of the material was at least 3.5 grams but less than 100 grams; and

(D) drug severity level 1 felony if the quantity of the material was 100 grams or more.

(4) Except as provided further, violation of subsection (a) with respect to material containing any quantity of a controlled substance designated in K.S.A. 65-4105, 65-4107, 65-4109 or 65-4111, and amendments thereto, or an analog thereof, distributed by dosage unit, is a:

(A) Drug severity level 4 felony if the number of dosage units was fewer than 10;

(B) drug severity level 3 felony if the number of dosage units was at least 10 but fewer than 100;

(C) drug severity level 2 felony if the number of dosage units was at least 100 but fewer than 1,000; and

(D) drug severity level 1 felony if the number of dosage units was 1,000 or more.

(5) Violation of subsection (a) with respect to material containing any quantity of a fentanyl-related controlled substance, distributed by dosage unit, is a:

(A) Drug severity level 4 felony if the number of dosage units was fewer than 10;

(B) drug severity level 3 felony if the number of dosage units was at least 10 but fewer than 50;

(C) drug severity level 2 felony if the number of dosage units was at least 50 but fewer than 250; and

(D) drug severity level 1 felony if the number of dosage units was 250 or more.

(6) For any violation of subsection (a), the severity level of the offense shall be increased one level if the controlled substance or controlled substance analog was distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute on or within 1,000 feet of any school property.

(7) Violation of subsection (b) is a:

(A) Class A person misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (d)(7)(B); and

(B) nondrug severity level 7, person felony if the substance was distributed to or possessed with the intent to distribute to a minor.

(8) Violation of subsection (c) is a:

(A) Drug severity level 3 felony if the number of plants cultivated was more than 4 but fewer than 50;

(B) drug severity level 2 felony if the number of plants cultivated was at least 50 but fewer than 100; and

(C) drug severity level 1 felony if the number of plants cultivated was 100 or more.

(e) In any prosecution under this section, there shall be an inference of an intent to distribute if such an inference is supported by the facts and such person possesses the following quantities of controlled substances or analogs thereof:

(1) 450 grams or more of marijuana;

(2) 3.5 grams or more of a fentanyl-related controlled substance, heroin or methamphetamine;

(3) 50 dosage units or more containing any quantity of a fentanyl-related controlled substance;

(4) 100 dosage units or more containing any other controlled substance; or

(5) 100 grams or more of any other controlled substance.

(f) It shall not be a defense to charges arising under this section that the defendant:

(1) Was acting in an agency relationship on behalf of any other party in a transaction involving a controlled substance or controlled substance analog;

(2) did not know the quantity of the controlled substance or controlled substance analog; or

(3) did not know the specific controlled substance or controlled substance analog contained in the material that was distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute.

(g) As used in this section:

(1) "Material" means the total amount of any substance, including a compound or a mixture, which contains any quantity of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog.

(2) "Dosage unit" means a controlled substance or controlled substance analog distributed or possessed with the intent to distribute as a discrete unit, including but not limited to, one pill, one capsule or one microdot, and not distributed by weight.

(A) For steroids, or controlled substances in liquid solution legally manufactured for prescription use, or an analog thereof, "dosage unit" means the smallest medically approved dosage unit, as determined by the label, materials provided by the manufacturer, a prescribing authority, licensed health care professional or other qualified health authority.

(B) For illegally manufactured controlled substances in liquid solution, or controlled substances in liquid products not intended for ingestion by human beings, or an analog thereof, "dosage unit" means 10 milligrams, including the liquid carrier medium, except as provided in subsection (g)(2)(C).

(C) For lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in liquid form, or an analog thereof, a dosage unit is defined as 0.4 milligrams, including the liquid medium.

History: L. 2009, ch. 32, § 5; L. 2010, ch. 74, § 2; L. 2010, ch. 155, § 4; L. 2011, ch. 83, § 1; L. 2012, ch. 150, § 9; L. 2024, ch. 96, § 4; July 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 114 cases (88 in the last 5 years), 2016–2026 · leading case: State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022).
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State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022). · cites it 14× “See K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-5705. Subsection (e) provides "[i]n any prosecution under this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of an intent to distribute if any person possesses .”
State v. Crosby, 479 P.3d 167 (Kan. 2021). · cites it 6× “Next, Crosby argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his distribution conviction. Crosby was convicted of distributing 54 to 56 grams of marijuana in connection with the October 15, 2015 shooting.”
State v. Rizal, 445 P.3d 734 (Kan. 2019). · cites it 9× “See K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 21-5705(a)(7) ; K.S.A. 2011 Supp.”
State v. Holder, 502 P.3d 1039 (Kan. 2022). · cites it 13× “See K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4), (d)(2)(C); K.”
State v. Scheuerman, 502 P.3d 502 (Kan. 2022). · cites it 8× “We begin by examining the relevant portion of K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute any of the following controlled substances or controlled substance analogs thereof: (1) Opiates, opium or…”
State v. George, 466 P.3d 469 (Kan. 2020). · cites it 3× “21-5301; K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 21-5705(a)(1), (d)(3)(C).”
State v. Keys, 510 P.3d 706 (Kan. 2022). · cites it 2× “Criminal distribution or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute described in K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705 includes no element that could be 3 justified by using force in defense of oneself or another, and therefore cannot be negated by a claim of…”
State v. Mora, 509 P.3d 1201 (Kan. 2022). · cites it 5× “By charging Mora with felony murder with the underlying inherently dangerous felony of distribution under K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705, Crosby and Hillard clearly dictate that the State had the burden to prove that Mora was attempting or had the intent to distribute the marijuana,…”
State v. Hillard, 491 P.3d 1223 (Kan. 2021). · cites it 3× “K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5701(d) defines distribute as: "the actual, constructive or attempted transfer from one person to another of some item whether or not there is an agency relationship.”
State v. Crudo, 541 P.3d 67 (Kan. 2024). · cites it 4× “The State charged Crudo with: (1) possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4) and (a)(7), a drug severity 2 level 2, nonperson felony; (2) no drug tax stamp in violation of K.”
State v. Schooler, 419 P.3d 1164 (Kan. 2018). · cites it 2× “See K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 21-5705(a) (possession with intent to distribute); K.”
State v. Brazzle, 466 P.3d 1195 (Kan. 2020). · cites it 2× “See K.S.A. 2015 Supp. 21-5705(e)(2). And at Brazzle's request, the district court instructed the jury that possession with intent to distribute includes the 5 lesser offense of possession of methamphetamine.”
Show all 114 citing cases →
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a) — 19 cases
State v. Crosby, 479 P.3d 167 (Kan. 2021). “Next, Crosby argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his distribution conviction. Crosby was convicted of distributing 54 to 56 grams of marijuana in connection with the October 15, 2015 shooting.”
State v. Rizal, 445 P.3d 734 (Kan. 2019). “See K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 21-5705(a)(7) ; K.S.A. 2011 Supp.”
State v. Hillard, 491 P.3d 1223 (Kan. 2021). “K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5701(d) defines distribute as: "the actual, constructive or attempted transfer from one person to another of some item whether or not there is an agency relationship.”
State v. Schooler, 419 P.3d 1164 (Kan. 2018). “See K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 21-5705(a) (possession with intent to distribute); K.”
United States v. Madkins, 866 F.3d 1136 (10th Cir. 2017).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(1) — 40 cases
State v. George, 466 P.3d 469 (Kan. 2020). “21-5301; K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 21-5705(a)(1), (d)(3)(C).”
State v. Scheuerman, 502 P.3d 502 (Kan. 2022). “We begin by examining the relevant portion of K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute any of the following controlled substances or controlled substance analogs thereof: (1) Opiates, opium or…”
State v. Pearce, 500 P.3d 528 (Kan. 2021).
State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-5705. Subsection (e) provides "[i]n any prosecution under this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of an intent to distribute if any person possesses .”
State v. Gomez, 561 P.3d 908 (Kan. 2025).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(1)(c)(1) — 1 case
State v. Baughman (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(2) — 2 cases
State v. McClung (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Campbell (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(4) — 23 cases
State v. Milo, 510 P.3d 1 (Kan. 2022).
State v. Crudo, 541 P.3d 67 (Kan. 2024). “The State charged Crudo with: (1) possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4) and (a)(7), a drug severity 2 level 2, nonperson felony; (2) no drug tax stamp in violation of K.”
State v. Holder, 502 P.3d 1039 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4), (d)(2)(C); K.”
State v. Mora, 509 P.3d 1201 (Kan. 2022). “By charging Mora with felony murder with the underlying inherently dangerous felony of distribution under K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705, Crosby and Hillard clearly dictate that the State had the burden to prove that Mora was attempting or had the intent to distribute the marijuana,…”
State v. Anderson, 543 P.3d 1120 (Kan. 2024).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(7) — 2 cases
State v. Rizal, 445 P.3d 734 (Kan. 2019). “See K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 21-5705(a)(7) ; K.S.A. 2011 Supp.”
State v. Blackmon (Kan. Ct. App. 2023).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(a1) — 1 case
State v. Bowen (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(a)(l) — 3 cases
State v. Vaughn, 472 P.3d 1139 (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Lipp (Kan. Ct. App. 2026).
State v. Mitchell (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(c) — 2 cases
State v. Holsted, 370 P.3d 1207 (Kan. Ct. App. 2016).
State v. Thompson (Kan. Ct. App. 2025).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(c)(1)(A) — 1 case
State v. Rizal, 445 P.3d 734 (Kan. 2019). “See K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 21-5705(a)(7) ; K.S.A. 2011 Supp.”
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d) — 2 cases
State v. Timmons (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
State v. G.J. (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(1) — 1 case
State v. Caldwell (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(1)(A) — 1 case
State v. Valdez (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(1)(B) — 3 cases
State v. Caldwell (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Fulcher (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Valdez (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(2) — 1 case
State v. Anderson, 543 P.3d 1120 (Kan. 2024).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(2)(A) — 2 cases
State v. Guein, 388 P.3d 194 (Kan. Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Hastings (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(2)(C) — 3 cases
State v. Crudo, 517 P.3d 857 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Holder (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Crudo (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(3) — 5 cases
State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-5705. Subsection (e) provides "[i]n any prosecution under this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of an intent to distribute if any person possesses .”
State v. Scheuerman, 502 P.3d 502 (Kan. 2022). “We begin by examining the relevant portion of K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705: "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to distribute or possess with the intent to distribute any of the following controlled substances or controlled substance analogs thereof: (1) Opiates, opium or…”
State v. Gray (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Bentley (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Everett (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(3)(A) — 2 cases
State v. Everett (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Caldwell (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(3)(B) — 5 cases
State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-5705. Subsection (e) provides "[i]n any prosecution under this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of an intent to distribute if any person possesses .”
State v. Scheuerman, 486 P.3d 676 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Scheuerman (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Everett (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Gray (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(3)(C) — 10 cases
State v. Scheuerman, 486 P.3d 676 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Fulcher (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Scheuerman (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Caldwell (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Bentley (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(3)(D) — 1 case
State v. Bailey (Kan. Ct. App. 2025).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(5) — 2 cases
State v. Brooks (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Fulcher (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(7) — 1 case
State v. Holsted, 370 P.3d 1207 (Kan. Ct. App. 2016).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(B)(3) — 1 case
State v. Scheuerman, 486 P.3d 676 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(d)(l)(B) — 1 case
State v. Fulcher (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(e) — 14 cases
State v. Holder, 502 P.3d 1039 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4), (d)(2)(C); K.”
State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-5705. Subsection (e) provides "[i]n any prosecution under this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of an intent to distribute if any person possesses .”
State v. Crudo, 541 P.3d 67 (Kan. 2024). “The State charged Crudo with: (1) possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of K.S.A. 2013 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4) and (a)(7), a drug severity 2 level 2, nonperson felony; (2) no drug tax stamp in violation of K.”
State v. Mora, 509 P.3d 1201 (Kan. 2022). “By charging Mora with felony murder with the underlying inherently dangerous felony of distribution under K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705, Crosby and Hillard clearly dictate that the State had the burden to prove that Mora was attempting or had the intent to distribute the marijuana,…”
State v. Strong, 499 P.3d 481 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(e)(1) — 8 cases
State v. Valdez, 512 P.3d 1125 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-5705. Subsection (e) provides "[i]n any prosecution under this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption of an intent to distribute if any person possesses .”
State v. Crudo, 517 P.3d 857 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Strong, 499 P.3d 481 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Holder (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Stewart (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(e)(2) — 12 cases
State v. Brazzle, 466 P.3d 1195 (Kan. 2020). “See K.S.A. 2015 Supp. 21-5705(e)(2). And at Brazzle's request, the district court instructed the jury that possession with intent to distribute includes the 5 lesser offense of possession of methamphetamine.”
State v. Holder, 502 P.3d 1039 (Kan. 2022). “See K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-5705(a)(4), (d)(2)(C); K.”
State v. Strong, 499 P.3d 481 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Scheuerman, 486 P.3d 676 (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
State v. Reisinger (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(f)(2) — 1 case
State v. Holder (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
— K.S.A. § 21-5705(g)(1) — 1 case
State v. G.J. (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
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