Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 17-A
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103 (2026)

Unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs

✓ current as of May 2026
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1. 
[PL 2001, c. 383, §114 (RP); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
1-A.  Except as provided in subsection 1‑B, a person is guilty of unlawful trafficking in a scheduled drug if the person intentionally or knowingly trafficks in what the person knows or believes to be a scheduled drug, which is in fact a scheduled drug, and the drug is:  
A. A schedule W drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime;   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
B. A schedule X drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime;   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
C. Marijuana in a quantity of 20 pounds or more. Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime;   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
D. Marijuana and the person grows or cultivates 500 or more plants. Violation of this paragraph is a Class B crime;   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
E. Marijuana in a quantity of more than one pound. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime;   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
F. Marijuana and the person grows or cultivates 100 or more plants. Violation of this paragraph is a Class C crime;   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
G. A schedule Y drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime; or   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
H. A schedule Z drug. Violation of this paragraph is a Class D crime.   [PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
[PL 2001, c. 383, §115 (NEW); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
1-B.  A person is not guilty of unlawful trafficking in a scheduled drug if the conduct that constitutes the trafficking is either:  
A. Expressly authorized by Title 22, Title 28‑B or Title 32; or   [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).]
B. Expressly made a civil violation by Title 22 or Title 28‑B.   [PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).]
[PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).]
2. 
[PL 2001, c. 383, §116 (RP); PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF).]
3.  Proof that the person intentionally or knowingly possesses any scheduled drug that is in fact of a quantity, state or concentration as provided in this subsection, gives rise to a permissible inference under the Maine Rules of Evidence, Rule 303 that the person is unlawfully trafficking in scheduled drugs:  
A. More than one pound of marijuana;   [PL 1997, c. 481, §3 (AMD).]
B. Fourteen grams or more of cocaine;   [PL 2021, c. 396, §3 (AMD).]
C. [PL 1999, c. 790, Pt. A, §20 (RP).]
C-1. Four grams or more of heroin;   [PL 2021, c. 396, §3 (NEW).]
C-2. Four grams or more of fentanyl powder;   [PL 2021, c. 396, §3 (NEW).]
D. Lysergic acid diethylamide in any of the following quantities, states or concentrations:  
(1) Any compound, mixture, substance or solution in a liquid state that contains a detectable quantity of lysergic acid diethylamide;  
(2) Fifty or more squares, stamps, tablets or units of any compound, mixture or substance containing a detectable quantity of lysergic acid diethylamide; or  
(3) Any quantity of any compound, mixture or substance that, in the aggregate, contains 2,500 micrograms or more of lysergic acid diethylamide;   [PL 2001, c. 419, §11 (AMD).]
E. Fourteen grams or more of methamphetamine;   [PL 2001, c. 419, §12 (AMD).]
F. Ninety or more pills, capsules, tablets, vials, ampules, syringes or units containing any narcotic drug other than heroin;   [PL 2001, c. 419, §13 (NEW).]
G. Any quantity of pills, capsules, tablets, units, compounds, mixtures or substances that, in the aggregate, contains 800 milligrams or more of oxycodone or 100 milligrams or more of hydromorphone; or   [PL 2001, c. 419, §13 (NEW).]
H. Fourteen grams or more of or 30 or more pills, capsules, tablets or units containing 3, 4 - methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA, or any other drug listed in section 1102, subsection 1, paragraph O or P.   [PL 2015, c. 346, §4 (AMD).]
[PL 2021, c. 396, §3 (AMD).]
4. 
[PL 1989, c. 344, §3 (RP).]
5. 
[PL 1999, c. 442, §1 (RP).]
6.  If a person uses a motor vehicle to facilitate the trafficking of a scheduled drug, the court may, in addition to other authorized penalties, suspend the person's driver's license, permit, privilege to operate a motor vehicle or right to apply for or obtain a license for a period not to exceed 5 years. A suspension may not begin until after any period of incarceration is served. If the court suspends a person's driver's license, permit, privilege to operate a motor vehicle or right to apply for or obtain a license, the court shall notify the Secretary of State of the suspension. The Secretary of State may not reinstate the person's driver's license, permit, privilege to operate a motor vehicle or right to apply for or obtain a license unless the person demonstrates that, after having been released and discharged from any period of incarceration that may have been ordered, the person has served the period of suspension ordered by the court.  
[PL 2025, c. 173, §4 (AMD).]
7.  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the substance trafficked in is hemp.  
[PL 2019, c. 12, Pt. B, §3 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW). PL 1977, c. 647, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 127, §128 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 164, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1987, c. 535, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 334, §3 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 336 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 344, §1 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 384, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 850, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 924, §§8,9 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 548, §A10 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 674, §§1,2 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 635, §2 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 481, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 374, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 422, §§1-3 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 442, §1 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 453, §§6,7 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 790, §§A19,20 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 383, §§114-117 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 383, §156 (AFF). PL 2001, c. 419, §§11-13 (AMD). PL 2003, c. 61, §2 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 346, §4 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 409, Pt. B, §3 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 12, Pt. B, §3 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 396, §3 (AMD). PL 2025, c. 173, §4 (AMD).
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Notes of Decisions
Cited in 167 cases (11 in the last 5 years), 1977–2025 · leading case: State of Maine v. Kashawn McLaughlin, 2018 ME 97 (Me. 2018).
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State of Maine v. Kashawn McLaughlin, 2018 ME 97 (Me. 2018). · cites it 12× “On the first day of the trial, the State orally moved to amend Count 2 to a charge of unlawful trafficking in heroin (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2017), which the court granted without objection by the defendant.”
State of Maine v. Abdirahmon A. Abdullahi, 2023 ME 41 (Me. 2023). · cites it 10× “Abdullahi1 appeals from a judgment of conviction of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2023), and falsifying physical evidence (Class D), 17-A M.”
State v. Woo, 2007 ME 151 (Me. 2007). · cites it 12× “) for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2006), following a jury trial.”
State of Maine v. Aaron S. Lowden, 2014 ME 29 (Me. 2014). · cites it 7× “At the close of the trial, the court, without objection by Lowden or the State, instructed the jury correctly on both unlawful trafficking in schedule W drugs, 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A), and attempted trafficking in schedule W drugs, 17-A M.”
State v. Johnson, 2005 ME 46 (Me. 2005). · cites it 11× “31, 2003) (codified at 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103(1-A), (1-B) (Supp. 2004)).”
State v. Barnard, 2001 ME 80 (Me. 2001). · cites it 5× “17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103 (Supp.2000). 1 The State contends that there was ample evidence on which the jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Barnard was in illegal possession of a scheduled drug, and, accordingly, that the court erred in entering the judgment of…”
State v. Barnard, 2003 ME 79 (Me. 2003). · cites it 6× “) convicting him of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class A), 17-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1103, 1105(1)(E), (2) (1983 & Supp.”
State v. Buchanan, 2007 ME 58 (Me. 2007). · cites it 6× “) resulting from a conditional guilty plea for unlawful trafficking in a scheduled drug (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2006); illegal importation of a scheduled drug (Class C), 17-A M.”
Kelli Jo Griffin v. Paul Pate, in His Off. Capacities as the Sec'y of State of Iowa, & Denise Fraise, in Her Off. Capacities as the Cnty. Auditor of Lee Cnty., Iowa, 884 N.W.2d 182 (Iowa 2016). · cites it 2× “); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A, § 1103 (West, Westlaw through 2015 2d Reg.”
State v. Donatelli, 2010 ME 43 (Me. 2010). · cites it 3× “Donatelli appeals from a judgment of conviction of one count of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2009), and one count of illegal importation of scheduled drugs (Class C), 17-A M.”
State of Maine v. Franklin F. Arbour Jr., 2016 ME 126 (Me. 2016). · cites it 3× “§ 1105-A(1)(B)(1); • Unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (cocaine/cocaine base) (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2015); • Unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (marijuana) (Class C), 17-A M.”
United States v. Oliveira, 287 F. Supp. 3d 97 (D. Me. 2017). · cites it 6× “§ 1103 was not a 'serious drug offense' under the Armed Career Criminal Act" (ACCA) because that Maine law does not require the State to prove an intent to distribute when a defendant possesses two grams or more of heroin. 4 Gov't's Mem.”
Show all 167 citing cases →
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(1) — 14 cases
State v. Barnard, 2001 ME 80 (Me. 2001). “17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103 (Supp.2000). 1 The State contends that there was ample evidence on which the jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Barnard was in illegal possession of a scheduled drug, and, accordingly, that the court erred in entering the judgment of…”
State v. Johnson, 2005 ME 46 (Me. 2005). “31, 2003) (codified at 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103(1-A), (1-B) (Supp. 2004)).”
State v. Glover, 594 A.2d 1086 (Me. 1991).
State v. Pierce, 899 A.2d 801 (Me. 2006).
State v. Lavigne, 588 A.2d 741 (Me. 1991).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(2) — 2 cases
State v. LaPierre, 2000 ME 119 (Me. 2000).
State v. Baird, 847 A.2d 425 (Me. 2004).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(2)(A) — 5 cases
State v. Barnard, 2003 ME 79 (Me. 2003). “) convicting him of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class A), 17-A M.R.S.A. §§ 1103, 1105(1)(E), (2) (1983 & Supp.”
State v. Pierce, 899 A.2d 801 (Me. 2006).
State v. Johnson, 2005 ME 46 (Me. 2005). “31, 2003) (codified at 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103(1-A), (1-B) (Supp. 2004)).”
State v. LaPierre, 2000 ME 119 (Me. 2000).
State v. Leavitt, 625 A.2d 302 (Me. 1993).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(2)(B) — 6 cases
State v. Hider, 649 A.2d 14 (Me. 1994).
State v. Roussel, 2000 ME 185 (Me. 2000).
State v. LaPierre, 2000 ME 119 (Me. 2000).
State v. Peakes, 440 A.2d 350 (Me. 1982).
State v. Leavitt, 625 A.2d 302 (Me. 1993).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(3) — 5 cases
State of Maine v. Abdirahmon A. Abdullahi, 2023 ME 41 (Me. 2023). “Abdullahi1 appeals from a judgment of conviction of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2023), and falsifying physical evidence (Class D), 17-A M.”
State v. Johnson, 2005 ME 46 (Me. 2005). “31, 2003) (codified at 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103(1-A), (1-B) (Supp. 2004)).”
State of Maine v. Damien Osborn, 2023 ME 19 (Me. 2023).
State v. Peakes, 440 A.2d 350 (Me. 1982).
State of Maine v. John D. Schlosser, 2025 ME 76 (Me. 2025).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(3)(A) — 1 case
United States v. McInnis, 346 F. Supp. 2d 210 (D. Me. 2004).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(3)(B) — 9 cases
State of Maine v. Kashawn McLaughlin, 2018 ME 97 (Me. 2018). “On the first day of the trial, the State orally moved to amend Count 2 to a charge of unlawful trafficking in heroin (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2017), which the court granted without objection by the defendant.”
State of Maine v. Abdirahmon A. Abdullahi, 2023 ME 41 (Me. 2023). “Abdullahi1 appeals from a judgment of conviction of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2023), and falsifying physical evidence (Class D), 17-A M.”
State of Maine v. Jerry Lee Adams, 2015 ME 30 (Me. 2015).
United States v. Oliveira, 287 F. Supp. 3d 97 (D. Me. 2017). “§ 1103 was not a 'serious drug offense' under the Armed Career Criminal Act" (ACCA) because that Maine law does not require the State to prove an intent to distribute when a defendant possesses two grams or more of heroin. 4 Gov't's Mem.”
State v. Johnson, 2005 ME 46 (Me. 2005). “31, 2003) (codified at 17-A M.R.S.A. § 1103(1-A), (1-B) (Supp. 2004)).”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(3)(G) — 1 case
State v. Buchanan, 2007 ME 58 (Me. 2007). “) resulting from a conditional guilty plea for unlawful trafficking in a scheduled drug (Class B), 17-A M.R.S. § 1103(1-A)(A) (2006); illegal importation of a scheduled drug (Class C), 17-A M.”
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(6) — 1 case
State v. Pineo, 2002 ME 93 (Me. 2002).
— Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 17-A, § 1103(8) — 1 case
State v. Ellis, 502 A.2d 1037 (Me. 1985).
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