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sources would have allowed him to purchase except
for the artificially low price set by the government agent, a downward departure may be
warranted.
15. LSD on a blotter paper carrier medium typically is marked so that the number of doses ("hits")
per sheet readily can be determined. When this is not the case, it is to be presumed that each
1/4 inch by 1/4 inch section of the blotter paper is equal to one dose.
In the case of liquid LSD (LSD that has not been placed onto a carrier medium), using the
weight of the LSD alone to calculate the offense level may not adequately reflect the seriousness
of the offense. In such a case, an upward departure may be warranted.
16. In an extraordinary case, an upward departure above offense level 38 on the basis of drug
quantity may be warranted. For example, an upward departure may be warranted where the
quantity is at least ten times the minimum quantity required for level 38. Similarly, in the case
of a controlled substance for which the maximum offense level is less than level 38, an upward
departure may be warranted if the drug quantity substantially exceeds the quantity for the
highest offense level established for that particular controlled substance.
17. For purposes of the guidelines, a "plant" is an organism having leaves and a readily observable
root formation (e.g., a marihuana cutting having roots, a rootball, or root hairs is a marihuana
plant).
18. If the offense involved importation of amphetamine or methamphetamine, and an adjustment
from subsection (b)(2) applies, do not apply subsection (b)(4).
19. Hazardous or Toxic Substances.—Subsection (b)(6)(A) applies if the conduct for which the
defendant is accountable under §1B1.3 (Relevant Conduct) involved any discharge, emission,
release, transportation, treatment, storage, or disposal violation covered by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d); the Federal Water Pollution Control Act,
33 U.S.C. § 1319(c); the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9603(b); or 49 U.S.C. § 5124 (relating to violations of laws and regulations
enforced by the Department of Transportation with respect to the transportation of hazardous
material). In some cases, the enhancement under subsection (b)(6)(A) may not account
adequately for the seriousness of the environmental harm or other threat to public health or
safety (including the health or safety of law enforcement and cleanup personnel). In such
cases, an upward departure may be warranted. Additionally, in determining the amount of
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2D1.1
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restitution under §5E1.1 (Restitution) and in fashioning appropriate conditions of probation
and supervision under §§5B1.3 (Conditions of Probation) and 5D1.3 (Conditions of Supervised
Release), respectively, any costs of environmental cleanup and harm to individuals or property
shall be considered by the court in cases involving the manufacture of amphetamine or
methamphetamine and should be considered by the court in cases involving the manufacture
of a controlled substance other than amphetamine or methamphetamine. See 21 U.S.C. §
853(q) (mandatory restitution for cleanup costs relating to the manufacture of amphetamine
and methamphetamine).
20. Substantial Risk of Harm Associated with the Manufacture of Amphetamine and
Methamphetamine.—
(A) Factors to Consider.—In determining, for purposes of subsection (b)(6)(B) or (C),
whether the offense created a substantial risk of harm to human life or the environment,
the court shall include consideration of the following factors:
(i) The quantity of any chemicals or hazardous or toxic substances found at the
laboratory, and the manner in which the chemicals or substances were stored.
(ii) The manner in which hazardous or toxic substances were disposed, and the
likelihood of release into the environment of hazardous or toxic substances.
(iii) The duration of the offense, and the extent of the manufacturing operation.
(iv) The location of the laboratory (e.g., whether the laboratory is located in a
residential neighborhood or a remote area), and the number of human lives
placed at substantial risk of harm.
(B) Definitions.—For purposes of subsection (b)(6)(C):
"Incompetent" means an individual who is incapable of taking care of the individual’s
self or property because of a mental or physical illness or disability, mental retardation,
or senility.
"Minor" has the meaning given that term in Application Note 1 of the Commentary to
§2A3.1 (Criminal Sexual Abuse).
21. Applicability of Subsection (b)(7).—The applicability of subsection (b)(7) shall be determined
without regard to whether the defendant was convicted of an offense that subjects the defendant
to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. Section §5C1.2(b), which provides a minimum
offense level of level 17, is not pertinent to the determination of whether subsection (b)(7)
applies.
22. Application of Subsection (b)(5).—For purposes of subsection (b)(5), "mass-marketing by
means of an interactive computer service" means the solicitation, by means of an interactive
computer service, of a large number of persons to induce those persons to purchase a
controlled substance. For example, subsection (b)(5) would apply to a defendant who operated
a web site to promote the sale of Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) but would not apply to
coconspirators who use an interactive computer service only to communicate with one another
§2D1.1 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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in furtherance of the offense. "Interactive computer service", for purposes of subsection (b)(5)
and this note, has the meaning given that term in section 230(e)(2) of the Communications Act
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. § 230(f)(2)).
23. Application of Subsection (e)(1).—
(A) Definition.—For purposes of this guideline, "sexual offense" means a "sexual act" or
"sexual contact" as those terms are defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2246(2) and (3), respectively.
(B) Upward Departure Provision.—If the defendant committed a sexual offense against more
than one individual, an upward departure would be warranted.
Background: Offenses under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 960 receive identical punishment based upon the
quantity of the controlled substance involved, the defendant’s criminal history, and whether death
or serious bodily injury resulted from the offense.
The base offense levels in §2D1.1 are either provided directly by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of
1986 or are proportional to the levels established by statute, and apply to all unlawful trafficking.
Levels 32 and 26 in the Drug Quantity Table are the distinctions provided by the Anti-Drug Abuse
Act; however, further refinement of drug amounts is essential to provide a logical sentencing
structure for drug offenses. To determine these finer distinctions, the Commission consulted
numerous experts and practitioners, including authorities at the Drug Enforcement Administration,
chemists, attorneys, probation officers, and members of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task
Forces, who also advocate the necessity of these distinctions. Where necessary, this scheme has been
modified in response to specific congressional directives to the Commission.
The base offense levels at levels 26 and 32 establish guideline ranges with a lower limit as close
to the statutory minimum as possible; e.g., level 32 ranges from 121 to 151 months, where the
statutory minimum is ten years or 120 months.
For marihuana plants, the Commission has adopted an equivalency of 100 grams per plant, or
the actual weight of the usable marihuana, whichever is greater. The decision to treat each plant as
equal to 100 grams is premised on the fact that the average yield from a mature marihuana plant
equals 100 grams of marihuana. In controlled substance offenses, an attempt is assigned the same
offense level as the object of the attempt. Consequently, the Commission adopted the policy that each
plant is to be treated as the equivalent of an attempt to produce 100 grams of marihuana, except
where the actual weight of the usable marihuana is greater.
Specific Offense Characteristic (b)(2) is derived from Section 6453 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act
of 1988.
Frequently, a term of supervised release to follow imprisonment is required by statute for
offenses covered by this guideline. Guidelines for the imposition, duration, and conditions of
supervised release are set forth in Chapter Five, Part D (Supervised Release).
Because the weights of LSD carrier media vary widely and typically far exceed the weight of
the controlled substance itself, the Commission has determined that basing offense levels on the entire
weight of the LSD and carrier medium would produce unwarranted disparity among offenses
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2D1.5
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involving the same quantity of actual LSD (but different carrier weights), as well as sentences
disproportionate to those for other, more dangerous controlled substances, such as PCP.
Consequently, in cases involving LSD contained in a carrier medium, the Commission has established
a weight per dose of 0.4 milligram for purposes of determining the base offense level.
The dosage weight of LSD selected exceeds the Drug Enforcement Administration’s standard
dosage unit for LSD of 0.05 milligram (i.e., the quantity of actual LSD per dose) in order to assign
some weight to the carrier medium. Because LSD typically is marketed and consumed orally on a
carrier medium, the inclusion of some weight attributable to the carrier medium recognizes (A) that
offense levels for most other controlled substances are based upon the weight of the mixture
containing the controlled substance without regard to purity, and (B) the decision in Chapman v.
United States, 111 S.Ct. 1919 (1991) (holding that the term "mixture or substance" in 21 U.S.C.
§ 841(b)(1) includes the carrier medium in which LSD is absorbed). At the same time, the weight per
dose selected is less than the weight per dose that would equate the offense level for LSD on a carrier
medium with that for the same number of doses of PCP, a controlled substance that comparative
assessments indicate is more likely to induce violent acts and ancillary crime than is LSD. (Treating
LSD on a carrier medium as weighing 0.5 milligram per dose would produce offense levels
equivalent to those for PCP.) Thus, the approach decided upon by the Commission will harmonize
offense levels for LSD offenses with those for other controlled substances and avoid an undue
influence of varied carrier weight on the applicable offense level. Nonetheless, this approach does
not override the applicability of "mixture or substance" for the purpose of applying any mandatory
minimum sentence (see Chapman; §5G1.1(b)).
Subsection (b)(6)(A) implements the instruction to the Commission in section 303 of Public Law
103–237.
Subsections (b)(6)(B) and (C) implement, in a broader form, the instruction to the Commission
in section 102 of Public Law 106–310.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendments 19, 20, and 21);
November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendments 123-134, 302, and 303); November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 318);
November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendments 369-371 and 394-396); November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendments 446 and 447);
November 1, 1993 (see Appendix C, amendments 479, 484-488, and 499); September 23, 1994 (see Appendix C, amendment 509);
November 1, 1994 (see Appendix C, amendment 505); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendments 514-518); November 1, 1997
(see Appendix C, amendments 555 and 556); November 1, 2000 (see Appendix C, amendments 594 and 605); December 16, 2000 (see
Appendix C, amendment 608); May 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendments 609-611); November 1, 2001 (see Appendix C, amendments
620-625); November 1, 2002 (see Appendix C, amendment 640); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 657); November 1, 2004
(see Appendix C, amendments 667, 668, and 674); November 1, 2005 (see Appendix C, amendment 679).
§2D1.2. Drug Offenses Occurring Near Protected Locations or Involving Underage or
Pregnant Individuals; Attempt or Conspiracy
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greatest):
(1) 2 plus the offense level from §2D1.1 applicable to the quantity of
controlled substances directly involving a protected location or an
§2D1.2 GUIDELINES MANUAL November 1, 2005
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underage or pregnant individual; or
(2) 1 plus the offense level from §2D1.1 applicable to the total quantity of
controlled substances involved in the offense; or
(3) 26, if the offense involved a person less than eighteen years of age; or
(4) 13, otherwise.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 21 U.S.C. §§ 859 (formerly 21 U.S.C. § 845), 860 (formerly 21 U.S.C. § 845a),
861 (formerly 21 U.S.C. § 845b).
Application Note:
1. This guideline applies only in a case in which the defendant is convicted of a statutory violation
of drug trafficking in a protected location or involving an underage or pregnant individual
(including an attempt or conspiracy to commit such a violation) or in a case in which the
defendant stipulated to such a statutory violation. See §1B1.2(a). In a case involving such a
conviction but in which only part of the relevant offense conduct directly involved a protected
location or an underage or pregnant individual, subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) may result in
different offense levels. For example, if the defendant, as part of the same course of conduct
or common scheme or plan, sold 5 grams of heroin near a protected location and 10 grams of
heroin elsewhere, the offense level from subsection (a)(1) would be level 16 (2 plus the offense
level for the sale of 5 grams of heroin, the amount sold near the protected location); the offense
level from subsection (a)(2) would be level 17 (1 plus the offense level for the sale of 15 grams
of heroin, the total amount of heroin involved in the offense).
Background: This section implements the direction to the Commission in Section 6454 of the Anti-
Drug Abuse Act of 1988.
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C, amendment 22); November 1, 1989
(see Appendix C, amendment 135); November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 319); November 1, 1991 (see Appendix C, amendment
421); November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendment 447); November 1, 2000 (see Appendix C, amendment 591).
§2D1.3. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2D1.3 (Distributing Controlled Substances to Individuals Younger than Twenty-One Years, to Pregnant Women,
or Within 1000 Feet of a School or College), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective January 15, 1988 (see Appendix C,
amendment 23), was deleted by consolidation with §2D1.2 effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 135).
§2D1.4. [Deleted]
Historical Note: Section 2D1.4 (Attempts and Conspiracies), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective November 1, 1989 (see
Appendix C, amendments 136-138), was deleted by consolidation with the guidelines applicable to the underlying substantive offenses
effective November 1, 1992 (see Appendix C, amendment 447).
November 1, 2005 GUIDELINES MANUAL §2D1.7
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§2D1.5. Continuing Criminal Enterprise; Attempt or Conspiracy
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greater):
(1) 4 plus the offense level from §2D1.1 applicable to the underlying offense;
or
(2) 38.
Commentary
Statutory Provision: 21 U.S.C. § 848.
Application Notes:
1. Do not apply any adjustment from Chapter Three, Part B (Role in the Offense).
2. If as part of the enterprise the defendant sanctioned the use of violence, or if the number of
persons managed by the defendant was extremely large, an upward departure may be
warranted.
3. Under 21 U.S.C. § 848, certain conduct for which the defendant has previously been sentenced
may be charged as part of the instant offense to establish a "continuing series of violations."
A sentence resulting from a conviction sustained prior to the last overt act of the instant offense
is to be considered a prior sentence under §4A1.2(a)(1) and not part of the instant offense.
4. Violations of 21 U.S.C. § 848 will be grouped with other drug offenses for the purpose of
applying Chapter Three, Part D (Multiple Counts).
Background: Because a conviction under 21 U.S.C. § 848 establishes that a defendant controlled
and exercised authority over one of the most serious types of ongoing criminal activity, this guideline
provides a minimum base offense level of 38. An adjustment from Chapter Three, Part B is not
authorized because the offense level of this guideline already reflects an adjustment for role in the
offense.
Title 21 U.S.C. § 848 provides a 20-year minimum mandatory penalty for the first conviction,
a 30-year minimum mandatory penalty for a second conviction, and a mandatory life sentence for
principal administrators of extremely large enterprises. If the application of the guidelines results
in a sentence below the minimum sentence required by statute, the statutory minimum shall be the
guideline sentence. See §5G1.1(b).
Historical Note: Effective November 1, 1987.
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