Under federal law (applicable in all states) it is illegal for a person to knowingly or intentionally manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance—or to possess a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense it. It is also illegal to create, distribute, or dispense a counterfeit substance, or to possess a counterfeit substance with the intent to distribute or dispense it.

The term controlled substance means a drug or other substance—or an immediate precursor to the drug or other substance—that is included in schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of the relevant portion of the United States Code (statute). See 21 U.S.C. §841.

The term counterfeit substance means a controlled substance (or its container or labeling) that—without authorization—bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, or number of a manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser other than the person or persons who in fact manufactured, distributed, or dispensed the substance. In other words, a counterfeit substance is falsely represented to be manufactured or distributed by an another (presumably authorized) manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser.

It is also illegal for a person to knowingly or intentionally manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance—or to possess a controlled substance with the intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense it—under state law. As under federal law, state laws usually classify substances in groups or schedules that determine which substances are included in the definition of controlled substances, and the potential penalties or punishments for distributing them.

Criminal charges and penalties for these offenses vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

Under federal law, specifically 21 U.S.C. §841, it is illegal to knowingly or intentionally manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance, or to possess a controlled substance with the intent to do the same. Controlled substances are classified into schedules I through V, with each schedule denoting the potential for abuse and accepted medical use of the substances listed. Additionally, it is illegal to create, distribute, or dispense counterfeit substances, which are defined as controlled substances misrepresented as being produced by an authorized manufacturer. In Oregon, as in other states, state law also prohibits the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances. Oregon's controlled substances are similarly classified into schedules, and the state statutes outline the specific regulations and penalties for offenses involving controlled substances. The severity of the charges and penalties under state law can vary based on the schedule of the substance, the amount involved, and other factors.