U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1

Unlawful Possession; Attempt or Conspiracy

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(a) Base Offense Level:

(1) 8, if the substance is heroin or any Schedule I or II opiate, an analogue of these, or cocaine base; or

(2) 6, if the substance is cocaine, flunitrazepam, LSD, or PCP; or

(3) 4, if the substance is any other controlled substance or a list I chemical.

(b) Cross Reference

(1) If the offense involved possession of a controlled substance in a prison, correctional facility, or detention facility, apply §2P1.2 (Providing or Possessing Contraband in Prison).

Commentary

Statutory Provision: 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).

Background: Mandatory (statutory) minimum penalties for several categories of cases, ranging from fifteen days' to three years' imprisonment, are set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 844(a). When a mandatory minimum penalty exceeds the guideline range, the mandatory minimum becomes the guideline sentence. See §5G1.1(b). Note, however, that 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f) provides an exception to the applicability of mandatory minimum sentences in certain cases. See §5C1.2 (Limitation on Applicability of Statutory Minimum Sentences in Certain Cases).

Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (amendment 24); November 1, 1989 (amendment 304); November 1, 1990 (amendment 321); November 1, 1992 (amendment 447); September 23, 1994 (amendment 509); November 1, 1995 (amendment 514); November 1, 1997 (amendments 556 and 558); November 1, 2010 (amendments 746 and 748); November 1, 2011 (amendment 750); November 1, 2025 (amendment 836).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 57 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1989–2025 · leading case: United States v. Jarreous Blewitt, 719 F.3d 482 (6th Cir. 2013).

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United States v. Jarreous Blewitt, 719 F.3d 482 (6th Cir. 2013). · cites it 2× “1 that is used to calculate sentencing ranges, while part C eliminated the reference in USSG § 2D2.1 to a five-year mandatory- minimum sentence for simple possession of more than five grams of crack cocaine.”

United States v. Janice Kay Fraser, 243 F.3d 473 (8th Cir. 2001). · cites it 2× “2(d); see U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1. Id. at 631. The Ninth Circuit agreed in United States v.”

United States v. Zackery Lucius Sharp, 12 F.3d 605 (6th Cir. 1993). · cites it 2× “Under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, thé “offense guideline section” for unlawful possession of drugs is U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1. Subsection (b) thereof, captioned “Cross Reference,” directs that § 2D1.”

United States v. Christopher Gill, 348 F.3d 147 (6th Cir. 2003). “§ 844 (a), calls for the use of a different guideline section, U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1. Under Section 2D1.1, the base offense level for a defendant whose crime does not involve death or serious bodily injury resulting from the use of a controlled substance is determined exclusively by…”

United States of Am., Plaintiff-Appellee/cross-Appellant v. John Patrick Farrelly, Defendant-Appellant/cross-Appellee, 389 F.3d 649 (6th Cir. 2004). “§ 841 (b)(1) (imposing a ten year minimum for possession with the intent to distribute); compare also U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1 (base offense level of 6) with U.”

United States v. Breshawn Hamilton, 66 F.4th 1267 (11th Cir. 2023). “USCA11 Case: 21-14266 Document: 45-1 Date Filed: 05/02/2023 Page: 11 of 19 21-14266 Opinion of the Court 11 Here, we need not address Hamilton’s claim that his con- duct did not merit an enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1(b)(4). Even if we assume that Hamilton is correct and…”

United States v. Dodge Caravan Grand Se/sport Van, Vin 1b4gp44g2yb7884560 Erin Clemons, Claimant-Appellant, 387 F.3d 758 (8th Cir. 2004). “USSG §§ 2D2.1(a)(l), 5E1.2(c)(3). The stipulated value of the minivan was between $12,000 and $14,000.”

Robert John Jansen, Jr. v. United States, 369 F.3d 237 (3rd Cir. 2004). “An offense within the meaning of Section (a)(2) is not the crime constituting asserted relevant conduct, in this case mere possession of drugs covered by U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1. In other words Section (a)(2) defines what constitutes a defendant’s relevant conduct when the offense of…”

United States v. Gilbert Frazier, United States of Am. v. Aaron Singleton, United States of Am. v. Dionne Pettus, 981 F.2d 92 (3rd Cir. 1992). “U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1. Since the present case does not involve simple possession, we do not address the different sentencing scheme applicable to that offense.”

United States v. Gary Williams, 396 F. App'x 212 (6th Cir. 2010). · cites it 2× “The probation officer opined that “an upward departure may be warranted” (internal quotation marks omitted) under U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1(b)(l), which requires that, “[i]f the defendant is convicted of possession of more than 5 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base,…”

United States v. Francis Everett Foree & Christina Draznin, 43 F.3d 1572 (11th Cir. 1995). “As for Draznin, although the determination of her base offense level of 4, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1(a)(3), did not directly rely on the number of plants seized, the district court’s upward departure from the recommended Guideline range of 0-6 months to sentence Draznin to 12…”

United States v. Marion S. Barry, Jr., 938 F.2d 1327 (D.C. Cir. 1991). “We assume that the court found that the base offense level was six, because the presentence report correctly stated that Sentencing Guidelines § 2D2.1 provides a base offense level of six for possession of cocaine and both parties agree that it is the relevant base offense level.”

Show all 57 citing cases →

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(a)(1) — 1 case

United States v. Erin Clemons (8th Cir. 2004).

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(a)(2) — 2 cases

United States v. Martha G. Crawford, 883 F.2d 963 (11th Cir. 1989).

United States v. Joseph Feekes, 929 F.2d 334 (7th Cir. 1991).

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(a)(3) — 6 cases

United States v. Collins, 511 F.3d 1276 (10th Cir. 2008).

United States v. Philbert Ray Smith, 907 F.2d 133 (11th Cir. 1990).

United States v. One Parcel of Prop. Located at 32 Medley Lane, 372 F. Supp. 2d 248 (D. Conn. 2005).

United States v. Enquist, 745 F. Supp. 541 (N.D. Ind. 1990).

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(a)(4)(B) — 2 cases

United States v. Steven Vargem, 747 F.3d 724 (9th Cir. 2014).

United States v. Steven Vargem (9th Cir. 2014).

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(a)(l) — 1 case

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(b) — 1 case

United States v. Zackery Lucius Sharp, 12 F.3d 605 (6th Cir. 1993). “Under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, thé “offense guideline section” for unlawful possession of drugs is U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1. Subsection (b) thereof, captioned “Cross Reference,” directs that § 2D1.”

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(b)(1) — 6 cases

United States v. Robertson, 48 F. App'x 823 (2d Cir. 2002).

United States v. Collins, 310 F. App'x 290 (10th Cir. 2009).

United States v. Anthony J. Thompson (8th Cir. 2002).

United States v. Morris Williford (8th Cir. 2002).

United States v. Anthony J. Thompson (8th Cir. 2003).

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(b)(12) — 1 case

United States v. Adrian Howard (11th Cir. 2024).

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(b)(4) — 1 case

— U.S.S.G. §2D2.1(b)(l) — 6 cases

United States v. Gary Williams, 396 F. App'x 212 (6th Cir. 2010). “The probation officer opined that “an upward departure may be warranted” (internal quotation marks omitted) under U.S.S.G. § 2D2.1(b)(l), which requires that, “[i]f the defendant is convicted of possession of more than 5 grams of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base,…”

United States v. Anthony J. Thompson, 285 F.3d 731 (8th Cir. 2002).

United States v. Anthony J. Thompson, 335 F.3d 782 (8th Cir. 2003).

United States v. Morris C. Williford, 309 F.3d 507 (8th Cir. 2002).

United States v. Brooks, 7 F. App'x 248 (4th Cir. 2001).

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