§ 63-2-422. Definitions.

As used in the Drug Dealer Liability Act:

1.  "Illegal drug" means a drug whose distribution is a violation of state law;

2.  "Illegal drug market" means the support system of illegal drug-related operations, from production to retail sales, through which an illegal drug reaches the user;

3.  "Illegal drug market target community" is the area described under Section 7 of this act;

4.  "Individual drug user" means the individual whose illegal drug use is the basis of an action brought under this act;

5.  "Level one offense" means possession of one quarter (1/4) ounce or more, but less than four (4) ounces, or distribution of less than one (1) ounce of a specified illegal drug, or possession of one (1) pound or twenty-five plants or more, but less than four (4) pounds or fifty plants, or distribution of less than one (1) pound of marijuana;

6.  "Level two offense" means possession of four (4) ounces or more, but less than eight (8) ounces, or distribution of one (1) ounce or more, but less than two (2) ounces, of a specified illegal drug, or possession of four (4) pounds or more or fifty plants or more, but less than eight (8) pounds or seventy-five plants, or distribution of more than one (1) pound but less than ten (10) pounds of marijuana;

7.  "Level three offense" means possession of eight (8) ounces or more, but less than sixteen (16) ounces, or distribution of two (2) ounces or more, but less than four (4) ounces, of a specified illegal drug or possession of eight (8) pounds or more or seventy-five plants or more, but less than sixteen (16) pounds or one hundred plants, or distribution of more than five (5) pounds but less than ten (10) pounds of marijuana;

8.  "Level four offense" means possession of sixteen (16) ounces or more or distribution of four (4) ounces or more of a specified illegal drug or possession of sixteen (16) pounds or more or one hundred plants or more or distribution of ten (10) pounds or more of marijuana;

9.  "Participate in the illegal drug market" means to distribute, possess with an intent to distribute, commit an act intended to facilitate the marketing or distribution of, or agree to distribute, possess with an intent to distribute, or commit an act intended to facilitate the marketing and distribution of an illegal drug.  "Participate in the illegal drug market" does not include the purchase or receipt of an illegal drug for personal use only;

10.  "Person" means an individual, a governmental entity, corporation, firm, trust, partnership, or incorporated or unincorporated association, existing under or authorized by the laws of this state, another state, or a foreign country;

11.  "Period of illegal drug use" means, in relation to the individual drug user, the time of first use by an individual of an illegal drug to the accrual of the cause of action.  The period of illegal drug use is presumed to commence two (2) years before the cause of action accrues unless the defendant proves otherwise by clear and convincing evidence;

12.  "Place of illegal drug activity" means, in relation to the individual drug user, each county in which the individual possesses or uses an illegal drug or in which the individual resides, attends school, or is employed during the period of the illegal drug use of the individual, unless the defendant proves otherwise by clear and convincing evidence;

13.  "Place of participation" means, in relation to a defendant in an action brought under the Drug Dealer Liability Act, each county in which the person participates in the illegal drug market or in which the person resides, attends school, or is employed during the period of the participation in the illegal drug market by the person; and

14.  "Specified illegal drug" means cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine and any other drug the distribution of which is a violation of state law.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 179, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.