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Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 21-6805 (2026)

Sentencing grid for drug crimes; authority and responsibility of sentencing court; presumptive disposition

✓ current as of May 2026
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21-6805. Sentencing grid for drug crimes; authority and responsibility of sentencing court; presumptive disposition. (a) The provisions of this section shall be applicable to the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes. The following sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes shall be applicable to felony crimes under K.S.A. 21-5701 through 21-5717, and amendments thereto, except as otherwise provided by law:

Sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes.

(b) Sentences expressed in the sentencing guidelines grid for drug crimes in subsection (a) represent months of imprisonment.

(c) (1) The sentencing court has discretion to sentence at any place within the sentencing range. In the usual case it is recommended that the sentencing judge select the center of the range and reserve the upper and lower limits for aggravating and mitigating factors insufficient to warrant a departure. The sentencing court shall not distinguish between the controlled substances cocaine base (9041L000) and cocaine hydrochloride (9041L005) when sentencing within the sentencing range of the grid block.

(2) In presumptive imprisonment cases, the sentencing court shall pronounce the complete sentence which shall include the:

(A) Prison sentence;

(B) maximum potential reduction to such sentence as a result of good time; and

(C) period of postrelease supervision at the sentencing hearing. Failure to pronounce the period of postrelease supervision shall not negate the existence of such period of postrelease supervision.

(3) In presumptive nonprison cases, the sentencing court shall pronounce the prison sentence as well as the duration of the nonprison sanction at the sentencing hearing.

(d) Each grid block states the presumptive sentencing range for an offender whose crime of conviction and criminal history place such offender in that grid block. If an offense is classified in a grid block below the dispositional line, the presumptive disposition shall be nonimprisonment. If an offense is classified in a grid block above the dispositional line, the presumptive disposition shall be imprisonment. If an offense is classified in grid blocks 4-E, 4-F, 4-G, 4-H, 4-I, 5-C or 5-D, the court may impose an optional nonprison sentence as provided in K.S.A. 21-6804(q), and amendments thereto.

(e) The sentence for a second or subsequent conviction for unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance, K.S.A. 65-4159, prior to its repeal, K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 21-36a03, prior to its transfer, K.S.A. 21-5703, and amendments thereto, or a substantially similar offense from another jurisdiction, if the controlled substance in any prior conviction was methamphetamine, as defined by K.S.A. 65-4107(d)(3) or (f)(1), and amendments thereto, or an analog thereof, shall be a presumptive term of imprisonment of two times the maximum duration of the presumptive term of imprisonment. The court may impose an optional reduction in such sentence of not to exceed 50% of the mandatory increase provided by this subsection upon making a finding on the record that one or more of the mitigating factors as specified in K.S.A. 21-6815, and amendments thereto, justify such a reduction in sentence. Any decision made by the court regarding the reduction in such sentence shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.

(f) (1) The sentence for a third or subsequent felony conviction of K.S.A. 65-4160 or 65-4162, prior to their repeal, K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 21-36a06, prior to its transfer, or K.S.A. 21-5706, and amendments thereto, shall be a presumptive term of imprisonment and the defendant shall be sentenced to prison as provided by this section. The defendant's term of imprisonment shall be served in the custody of the secretary of corrections in a facility designated by the secretary. Subject to appropriations therefore, the defendant shall participate in an intensive substance abuse treatment program, of at least four months duration, selected by the secretary of corrections. If the secretary determines that substance abuse treatment resources are otherwise available, such term of imprisonment may be served in a facility designated by the secretary of corrections in the custody of the secretary of corrections to participate in an intensive substance abuse treatment program. The secretary's determination regarding the availability of treatment resources shall not be subject to review. Upon the successful completion of such intensive treatment program, the offender shall be returned to the court and the court may modify the sentence by directing that a less severe penalty be imposed in lieu of that originally adjudged. If the offender's term of imprisonment expires, the offender shall be placed under the applicable period of postrelease supervision.

(2) Such defendant's term of imprisonment shall not be subject to modification under paragraph (1) if:

(A) The defendant has previously completed a certified drug abuse treatment program, as provided in K.S.A. 75-52,144, and amendments thereto;

(B) has been discharged or refused to participate in a certified drug abuse treatment program, as provided in K.S.A. 75-52,144, and amendments thereto;

(C) has completed an intensive substance abuse treatment program under paragraph (1); or

(D) has been discharged or refused to participate in an intensive substance abuse treatment program under paragraph (1).

(3) The sentence under this subsection shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.

(g) (1) Except as provided further, if the trier of fact makes a finding that an offender carried a firearm to commit a drug felony, or in furtherance of a drug felony, possessed a firearm, in addition to the sentence imposed pursuant to K.S.A. 21-6801 through 21-6824, and amendments thereto, the offender shall be sentenced to:

(A) Except as provided in subsection (g)(1)(B), an additional 6 months' imprisonment; and

(B) if the trier of fact makes a finding that the firearm was discharged, an additional 18 months' imprisonment.

(2) The sentence imposed pursuant to subsection (g)(1) shall be presumptive imprisonment. Such sentence shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.

(3) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to violations of K.S.A. 21-5706 or 21-5713, and amendments thereto.

(h) (1) The sentence for a violation of the following with respect to material containing any quantity of a fentanyl-related controlled substance shall be presumed imprisonment and shall be two times the maximum duration of the presumptive term of imprisonment:

(A) K.S.A. 21-5703, and amendments thereto; and

(B) K.S.A. 21-5705, and amendments thereto, if the violation is classified as a drug severity level 1, 2 or 3 felony.

(2) Such sentence shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.

(i) The sentence for a violation of K.S.A. 21-5703 or 21-5705, and amendments thereto, shall be presumed imprisonment and shall be two times the maximum duration of the presumptive term of imprisonment if the trier of fact makes a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the controlled substance involved, because of its appearance or packaging, was likely to be attractive to minors. Such sentence shall not be considered a departure and shall not be subject to appeal.

History: L. 2010, ch. 136, § 286; L. 2012, ch. 150, § 33; L. 2013, ch. 37, § 2; L. 2023, ch. 94, § 6; L. 2024, ch. 96, § 8; July 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 70 cases (38 in the last 5 years), 2015–2026 · leading case: State v. Obregon, 444 P.3d 331 (Kan. 2019).
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State v. Obregon, 444 P.3d 331 (Kan. 2019). · cites it 9× “Under K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6805(g)(1), if the trier of fact makes a finding that an offender possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug felony, that offender must be sentenced to an additional six months' imprisonment.”
State v. Albano, 487 P.3d 750 (Kan. 2021). · cites it 3× “On both grids, the vertical axis reflects the statutorily assigned severity level of the crime committed, and the horizontal axis reflects the defendant's criminal history score.”
State v. Fowler, 457 P.3d 927 (Kan. 2020). · cites it 5× “21- 5706(a); K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6805. The self-contained statute on his domestic battery conviction, a nongrid person felony, provided for a sentence of 90 days to one year in jail and a $1,000 to $7,500 fine.”
State v. Young, 490 P.3d 1183 (Kan. 2021). · cites it 2× “K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-6804(a), (d) (applying to nondrug crimes); K.”
State v. Swazey, 357 P.3d 893 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 4× “The State argues that no ambiguity exists between K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-6804, K.S.A. 2014 Supp.”
State v. Castle, 477 P.3d 266 (Kan. Ct. App. 2020). “See K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 21-6805(a); State v. Kinder, 307 Kan.”
State v. Montgomery, 494 P.3d 147 (Kan. 2021). “See K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-6804; K.S.A. 2020 Supp.”
State v. Moore, 377 P.3d 1162 (Kan. Ct. App. 2016). “See K.S.A. 2015 Supp. 21-6804(a) (nondrug grid); K.”
State v. Jones, 433 P.3d 193 (Kan. Ct. App. 2018). “" See also K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 21-6805(c)(2)(C) (providing same rule for drug grid).”
State v. Pollman, 441 P.3d 511 (Kan. Ct. App. 2019). · cites it 2× “See K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 21-6805(d). If the 2011 conviction were discarded, Pollman would have been in criminal history category F based on two nonperson felonies with a guidelines sentence of 16 to 18 months incarceration and a presumption for probation.”
State v. Kimberlin, 362 P.3d 19 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 10× “See K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-6805. Because Counts 2 and 4 involved Kimberlin’s third or subsequent felony drug possession convictions, however, application of the special rule set forth in K.”
State v. Saucedo, 446 P.3d 491 (Kan. 2019). “" Saucedo's presumptive sentence range increased under K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6805 due to his criminal history score.”
Show all 70 citing cases →
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(a) — 32 cases
State v. Albano, 487 P.3d 750 (Kan. 2021). “On both grids, the vertical axis reflects the statutorily assigned severity level of the crime committed, and the horizontal axis reflects the defendant's criminal history score.”
State v. Young, 490 P.3d 1183 (Kan. 2021). “K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-6804(a), (d) (applying to nondrug crimes); K.”
State v. Castle, 477 P.3d 266 (Kan. Ct. App. 2020). “See K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 21-6805(a); State v. Kinder, 307 Kan.”
State v. Moore, 377 P.3d 1162 (Kan. Ct. App. 2016). “See K.S.A. 2015 Supp. 21-6804(a) (nondrug grid); K.”
State v. Fowler (Kan. Ct. App. 2017).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(b) — 1 case
State v. Albano, 487 P.3d 750 (Kan. 2021). “On both grids, the vertical axis reflects the statutorily assigned severity level of the crime committed, and the horizontal axis reflects the defendant's criminal history score.”
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(c)(1) — 2 cases
United States v. Wheaton, 337 F. Supp. 3d 1107 (D. Kan. 2018).
State v. Lamia-Beck – Per Curiam – Affirmed – Pottawatomie (Kan. Ct. App. 2023).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(c)(2) — 2 cases
State v. Fowler, 457 P.3d 927 (Kan. 2020). “21- 5706(a); K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6805. The self-contained statute on his domestic battery conviction, a nongrid person felony, provided for a sentence of 90 days to one year in jail and a $1,000 to $7,500 fine.”
State v. Lozano (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(c)(2)(C) — 1 case
State v. Jones, 433 P.3d 193 (Kan. Ct. App. 2018). “" See also K.S.A. 2017 Supp. 21-6805(c)(2)(C) (providing same rule for drug grid).”
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(c)(3) — 1 case
United States v. Wheaton, 337 F. Supp. 3d 1107 (D. Kan. 2018).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(d) — 7 cases
State v. Swazey, 357 P.3d 893 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “The State argues that no ambiguity exists between K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-6804, K.S.A. 2014 Supp.”
State v. Young, 490 P.3d 1183 (Kan. 2021). “K.S.A. 2020 Supp. 21-6804(a), (d) (applying to nondrug crimes); K.”
State v. Pollman, 441 P.3d 511 (Kan. Ct. App. 2019). “See K.S.A. 2016 Supp. 21-6805(d). If the 2011 conviction were discarded, Pollman would have been in criminal history category F based on two nonperson felonies with a guidelines sentence of 16 to 18 months incarceration and a presumption for probation.”
State v. Stewart (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Alvarado (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(e) — 3 cases
State v. Fowler, 457 P.3d 927 (Kan. 2020). “21- 5706(a); K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6805. The self-contained statute on his domestic battery conviction, a nongrid person felony, provided for a sentence of 90 days to one year in jail and a $1,000 to $7,500 fine.”
State v. Bell, 561 P.3d 562 (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Bermudez (Kan. Ct. App. 2026).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(f) — 7 cases
State v. Stubbs (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Stubbs (Kan. Ct. App. 2022).
State v. Kimberlin, 362 P.3d 19 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “See K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-6805. Because Counts 2 and 4 involved Kimberlin’s third or subsequent felony drug possession convictions, however, application of the special rule set forth in K.”
State v. Bermudez (Kan. Ct. App. 2026).
State v. Hawk (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(f)(1) — 9 cases
State v. Lund (Kan. Ct. App. 2025).
State v. Bell, 561 P.3d 562 (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
State v. Bermudez (Kan. Ct. App. 2026).
State v. Kimberlin, 362 P.3d 19 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “See K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-6805. Because Counts 2 and 4 involved Kimberlin’s third or subsequent felony drug possession convictions, however, application of the special rule set forth in K.”
State v. Ware (Kan. Ct. App. 2024).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(f)(l) — 1 case
State v. Kimberlin, 362 P.3d 19 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “See K.S.A. 2014 Supp. 21-6805. Because Counts 2 and 4 involved Kimberlin’s third or subsequent felony drug possession convictions, however, application of the special rule set forth in K.”
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(g)(1) — 2 cases
State v. Obregon, 444 P.3d 331 (Kan. 2019). “Under K.S.A. 2018 Supp. 21-6805(g)(1), if the trier of fact makes a finding that an offender possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug felony, that offender must be sentenced to an additional six months' imprisonment.”
State v. Wyatt (Kan. Ct. App. 2026).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(g)(1)(A) — 3 cases
State v. Lovett (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
State v. Schmeal (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
Dulaney v. State (Kan. Ct. App. 2021).
— K.S.A. § 21-6805(g)(l)(A) — 1 case
State v. Mitchell (Kan. Ct. App. 2020).
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