Rhode Island General Laws Title 21. Food and Drugs § 21-28-4.15. Employment of person under age eighteen (18)

(1) A controlled substance classified in schedules I and II, except the substance classified as marijuana, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for not less than fifteen (15) years and may be imprisoned for a term up to life and fined not more than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000).  In all these cases, the justice imposing sentence shall impose a minimum sentence of fifteen (15) years imprisonment and may only impose a sentence less than that minimum if he or she finds that substantial and compelling circumstances exist which justify imposition of the alternative sentence.  The finding may be based upon the character and background of the defendant, the cooperation of the defendant with law enforcement authorities, the nature and circumstances of the offense, and/or the nature and quality of the evidence presented at trial.  If a sentence which is less than imprisonment for a term of fifteen (15) years is imposed, the trial justice shall set forth on the record the circumstances which he or she found as justification for imposition of the lesser sentence;

(2) A controlled substance classified in schedule III or IV, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than twenty (20) years or fined not more than forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or both;

(3) A controlled substance classified in schedule V or marijuana, is guilty of a crime and upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both.