Michigan Anabolic Steroid Laws

Anabolic Steroids are performance-enhancing drugs that are abused by some people. Steroid Use without a valid prescription is illegal in Michigan, and may have serious consequences!

You have probably heard the word "Steroid" before. It is often used as a general term for a class of drugs known officially as Anabolic-Androgen Steroids (AAS) or, more commonly, Anabolic Steroids. Anabolic Steroids are also known on the street as: "Pumpers," "Gym Candy," "Juice," "Arnolds," "Stackers," and "Weight Trainers."

We will aggressively defend our clients against Anabolic Steroid drug charges in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and throughout Michigan

Anabolic Steroids received a great deal of media attention in the late 1990's when some professional baseball players tested positive for Steroid use. Just like many of those baseball players, if you are caught with Anabolic Steroids, you can lose your job or, even worse, you can be charged with a drug crime. If you have been charged with a drug crime involving any Anabolic Steroid, you need a very experienced Michigan drug lawyer to defend your rights in court.

Anabolic Steroids are drugs that produce a reaction in the body similar to that of the male sex hormone testosterone. Anabolic Steroids were first isolated by scientists in the 1930's and, almost immediately, people began using Steroids for strength training. It is even rumored that the Nazis ordered their soldiers to take Anabolic Steroids to prepare for the battlefield. It was found that Anabolic Steroids increase the size and strength of muscles, improve endurance, and decrease recovery time between workouts. Today, both bodybuilders and casual athletes use Anabolic Steroids hoping to gain strength and physical power.

Prolonged use of Anabolic Steroids can lead to heart disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. There are also some embarrassing side-effects of Anabolic Steroid use, such as premature balding and severe acne. Males who use Steroids may experience growth of breast tissue, infertility, and testicular atrophy. Because Anabolic Steroids’ effects are like those of the male hormone testosterone, female Steroid users may experience extra body hair, a deepening of the voice, and loss of menstrual cycles. Interestingly, if a pregnant woman uses Anabolic Steroids, her female fetus may develop male features. Adolescents who abuse Anabolic Steroids may experience stunted growth or premature sexual development. This is unfortunate because young people are some of the biggest abusers of Anabolic Steroids. The most publicized side-effect of Anabolic Steroid use is what is referred to as "Roid Rage," which is an increase in hostile, aggressive, or violent behavior. There are some legal uses of Anabolic Steroids in the medical community. A doctor may prescribe these legal Steroids to a patient for any number of ailments, including AIDS, cancer, erectile dysfunction, anemia, and osteoporosis. In fact, Anabolic Steroids are usually produced in pharmaceutical labs. Sometimes, Anabolic Steroids are used in veterinary medicine.

About 1% of the population in the United States has abused Anabolic Steroids. Most Anabolic Steroid users inject the drug into their muscles, though some Steroid users take Steroid pills or use Steroid cream. The Anabolic Steroid community has come up with different methods to maximize the effectiveness of Steroids. First, users often do what is called cycling, where Anabolic Steroids are taken for weeks or months, then stopped, and then started again. Second, users also combine several types of Anabolic Steroids, which is a process called stacking. Finally, users do what is called pyramiding, starting out taking small doses, gradually increasing the dosage to a maximum point, and then gradually decreasing the dosage until they are done with the Steroids.

Steroid Use in Sports

All major sporting organizations have banned Anabolic Steroid use. This includes the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, WWE, UFC, FIFA, and the International Olympic Committee. To combat Anabolic Steroid use among athletes, the players are frequently subjected to mandatory Steroid drug tests. Anabolic Steroids can be detected in urine, blood, and hair. In Michigan, athletes on school sports teams are not eligible to play if they have used any Anabolic Steroids.

Steroid Laws in the United States

Congress classified Anabolic Steroids as Schedule 3 drugs by passing the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990. This Steroid law makes non-medical use of Anabolic Steroids illegal.

Steroid possession without a prescription is a Federal drug crime. You could go to jail for up to one year or pay a fine of up to up to $1,000, or both. However, if you have had one prior conviction for a drug crime, you could be imprisoned for 15 days to 2 years or pay a fine of up to $2,500, or both. If you have had two or more prior convictions for drug crimes, you could be imprisoned for 90 days to 3 years or pay a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Steroid manufacture, Steroid distribution, dispensing of Steroids, and possessing Steroids with the intent to manufacture Steroids, distribute Steroids, or dispense Steroids are all Federal felony drug crimes. If charged with any of these crimes, you could go to prison for up to 10 years or up to 15 years if your Anabolic Steroid crime caused serious bodily injury or death to the Steroid user. A defendant could also be required to pay a fine of up to $500,000 or up to $2,500,000 if the defendant is a business entity. In addition to any imprisonment, you will be sentenced to supervised release for a period of two years. The sentences are even harsher if you already have a felony drug crime conviction. In that case, you could go to prison for up to 20 years or up to 30 years if your Steroid crime caused serious bodily injury or death to the Steroid user. This time around, a business entity Defendant could be required to pay a fine of $1,000,000 or up to $5,000,000. In addition to any imprisonment, you will be given supervised release for four years.

With both of these Federal Anabolic Steroid crimes, your sentence could be increased if you distributed Anabolic Steroids to a minor, distributed Anabolic Steroids near a school or college, or employed a minor in a drug operation.

Steroid abuse is an issue that has come to the attention of police, prosecutors, and judges. These authorities are treating Steroid crimes harshly in order to crack down on Steroid possession, Steroid manufacture, Steroid distribution, dispensing of Steroids, and possession of Steroids with intent to manufacture Steroids, distribute Steroids, or dispense Steroids. If you have been charged with a drug crime involving Anabolic Steroids, it is essential that you contact knowledgeable and skilled Michigan drug lawyers. The criminal defense attorneys at Kronzek & Cronkright, PLLC have many years of experience representing Michigan drug crimes and we are available to help you with your drug charges. Please do not hesitate to call us any time of day for your free initial consultation.

Contact a Michigan Drug Attorney today! Call us at 1-866-7NOJAIL (1-866-766-5245) or e-mail us today!