Court Opinion

ID: 9769024
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 14:03:52.101556+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:07:46.288182
License: Public Domain

GANT, Justice,
concurring.
Appellant contends that his separate convictions of trafficking in controlled substances constitute double jeopardy, arguing that KRS 218A.140(1) provides that “no person shall traffick in any controlled sub-stance_” Thus, appellant contends, his possession for sale of Schedule III and Schedule IV types of controlled substances constitutes but one offense, not one offense for each schedule. I do not agree. KRS Chapter 218A provides for five separate and different classifications of controlled substances, each of which clarifications has separate and distinct criteria and a separate list of compounds. KRS 218A.990 provides a schedule of penalties, ranging from 5 to 10 years imprisonment and/or $5,000 to $10,000 fine for Schedule I and II; a misdemeanor for Schedules IV and V under certain circumstances. It is inconceivable that the legislature intended only one offense under these circumstances.
I concur with the remainder of the opinion.