Tennessee Drug Charges
Tennessee drug charges turn on what you did with the substance. Simple possession or casual exchange (T.C.A. § 39-17-418) is generally a Class A misdemeanor, while manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing with intent (§ 39-17-417) is a felony graded by the drug's schedule and amount. Tennessee classifies substances into schedules under § 39-17-403 and following.
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 25, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice. Drug-penalty grids are amount- and schedule-specific and change with amendments — confirm the current statute and talk to a Tennessee attorney.
In Tennessee, the same substance can lead to a misdemeanor or a serious felony — what matters most is what you did with it.
Simple possession / casual exchange — usually a misdemeanor
Under T.C.A. § 39-17-418, knowingly possessing a controlled substance (without a valid prescription) or a casual exchange is generally a Class A misdemeanor. There are exceptions that elevate it — for example, certain repeat offenses involving specific substances, or an adult’s casual exchange to a minor, which is punished as a felony.
Manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession with intent — a felony
T.C.A. § 39-17-417 covers manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing with intent to do those things. These are felonies, and the class depends on the drug’s schedule and the amount involved (for example, an offense involving a Schedule I substance is graded as a serious felony). Because the penalty grid is long and amount-specific, confirm the exact class and penalty for any situation against the live statute.
Controlled-substance schedules
Tennessee sorts controlled substances into schedules (T.C.A. § 39-17-403 and the sections that follow) based on abuse potential and accepted medical use. Notably, Tennessee uses more schedules than the federal five — including a separate schedule for marijuana. The schedule a substance falls in directly affects how an offense is graded.
After a case resolves, some records may be eligible to clear — see Tennessee expungement. To get matched with a local Tennessee drug-defense attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Connect with a local attorney
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with a local California attorney who handles matters like yours. Free, no obligation.
Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Is drug possession a felony in Tennessee?
- Simple possession or casual exchange of a controlled substance is generally a Class A misdemeanor under T.C.A. § 39-17-418. It can rise to a felony in specific situations (for example, certain repeat offenses or exchange to a minor).
- What makes a drug charge a felony?
- Manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing a controlled substance with intent to do so (T.C.A. § 39-17-417) is a felony — graded by the drug's schedule and the amount involved.
- What are drug 'schedules'?
- Tennessee categorizes controlled substances into schedules (T.C.A. § 39-17-403 and following) based on abuse potential and accepted medical use. The schedule affects how an offense is graded — and Tennessee uses more schedules than the federal system.
Sources
Related guides
- Tennessee Assault & Domestic Assault Charges Tennessee simple assault (T.C.A. § 39-13-101) is a misdemeanor, but it becomes the felony of aggravated assault (§ 39-13-102) when there's serious bodily injury, a deadly weapon, or strangulation. Domestic assault (§ 39-13-111) is an assault against a 'domestic abuse victim' and carries enhanced consequences and firearm restrictions.
- Tennessee DUI Charges Tennessee DUI law (T.C.A. § 55-10-401) makes it illegal to drive while impaired or with a BAC of 0.08% or more — lower for commercial drivers (0.04%) and drivers under 21 (0.02%). The implied-consent law means refusing a test triggers a license suspension. Penalties escalate with each prior offense, and a fourth DUI is a felony. Confirm specific jail minimums and fines against the current statute.
- Tennessee Theft & Property Crimes Tennessee consolidated old larceny/embezzlement offenses into one 'theft of property' offense (T.C.A. § 39-14-103), graded by the value of what was taken (§ 39-14-105). Theft of $1,000 or less is a Class A misdemeanor; above that, it's a felony with the class rising as the value increases. Confirm the current dollar tiers against the statute.
- The Tennessee Criminal Case Process A Tennessee criminal case generally moves from arrest and booking, to bond, to General Sessions Court (which handles preliminary hearings for felonies and most misdemeanor trials), to a grand jury indictment for felonies, and finally to trial in Circuit or Criminal Court. Misdemeanor convictions in General Sessions can be appealed to Circuit/Criminal Court.