Except as authorized by the Controlled Substances Act, no person who is eighteen years of age or older shall intentionally distribute a controlled substance to a person under the age of eighteen years. Any person who violates this section with respect to:
A. marijuana is:
(1) for the first offense, guilty of a third degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and
(2) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and
B. any other controlled substance enumerated in Schedules [Schedule] I, II, III or IV or a controlled substance analog of any controlled substance enumerated in Schedule I, II, III or IV is:
(1) for the first offense, guilty of a second degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978; and
(2) for the second and subsequent offenses, guilty of a first degree felony and shall be sentenced pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-18-15 NMSA 1978.
History: 1953 Comp., § 54-11-21, enacted by Laws 1972, ch. 84, § 21; 1974, ch. 9, § 2; 1980, ch. 23, § 2; 1987, ch. 68, § 3.
Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.
Constitutionality. — Sections 30-31-20 to 30-31-25 NMSA 1978, which define unlawful activities and provide penalties therefor, are not unconstitutional under N.M. Const., art. IV, § 16, because of the fact that "unlawful activities" are not mentioned in the title of the act. State v. Atencio, 1973-NMCA-110, 85 N.M. 484, 513 P.2d 1266, cert. denied, 85 N.M. 483, 513 P.2d 1265.
Greater penalty imposed on seller than on user. — The legislature clearly intended to impose greater penalties on the seller of a controlled substance than upon the user. State v. Sandoval, 1982-NMCA-091, 98 N.M. 417, 649 P.2d 485.
Distribution by mail. — Neither the federal constitution nor 18 U.S.C. § 1716 preempts New Mexico jurisdiction over distribution of controlled substances to a minor through the use of the mails. State v. McHorse, 1973-NMCA-144, 85 N.M. 753, 517 P.2d 75.
Law reviews. — For article, "The Confusing Law of Criminal Intent in New Mexico," see 5 N.M. L. Rev. 63 (1974).
For note and comment, "State v. Urioste: A Prosecutor's Dream and Defender's Nightmare," see 34 N.M. L. Rev. 517 (2004).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — Giving, selling or prescribing dangerous drugs as contributing to the delinquency of a minor, 36 A.L.R.3d 1292.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.