Adding onto our recent posts about heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, marijuana, meth, and synthetic marijuana, we’ll be looking at party drugs in New Jersey this week. What do people mean by “party drugs”? Are they dangerous? What does the law say about them? We’ll be answering these questions and more in this blog!

What Are They?

When people say “party drugs,” they mean any drug that people use in raves, clubs, and parties to help them let loose and escape. Alcohol usually fits this bill. But this can also include:

• MDMA or ecstasy
• GHB
• Ketamine
• LSD
• Xanax
• Bath salts
• Various unpredictable mixtures of sugary drinks with cold medicine and other drugs.

Party drugs usually fall into the hallucinogenic or stimulant categories of drugs. Furthermore, many of these drugs can be obtained legally at your drug store.

Party Drugs in New Jersey

Direct, straightforward facts about party drugs in New Jersey can be hard to find since parties happen all the time, and sometimes people ingest all sorts of different chemicals at parties. Nevertheless, here’s some important facts about party drugs in New Jersey:

• MDMA is the most readily available and frequently abused party drug in New Jersey.
• Party drug abuse has been increasing among older adults, particularly in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties.
• “Parachuting” has become popular at parties throughout the state. This involves taking MDMA to achieve a euphoric effect, and then taking Valium or Xanax to mitigate the depressive effect.
• While ecstasy and Molly used to be pure forms of MDMA, it’s now become a more dangerous a methamphetamine “mixed with any of roughly 300 other synthetic chemicals, including paint thinner and gasoline.”
• In February, 45 kilos of party drugs were seized at a mailing facility in Jersey City.

What Does the Law Say?

Most party drugs in New Jersey fall under the “Schedule I” classification. This comes with the following penalties:

• Third Degree Possession – fines of up to $35,000, up to five years in prison
• Third Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute (½ ounce or less) – fines of up to $75,000, up to five years in prison
• Second Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute (Between ½ ounce and 5 ounces) – fines of up to $150,000, up to ten years in prison
• First Degree Possession with Intent to Distribute (Over 5 ounces) – fines of up to $500,000, up to twenty years in prison

However, since certain party drugs like purple drank are made of drugs that can be legally purchased, it can be difficult to prosecute.

Facing Drug Charges? Contact Mark Catanzaro!

If you’re facing drug charges like selling party drugs in New Jersey, then you need a shrewd attorney to defend you. Contact the Law Offices of Mark Catanzaro! With over 30 years of experience, he can skillfully defend your case.