Soma is not illegal to posess.
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Carisoprodol (Soma) is unscheduled in the United States, but is available by prescription only. This means that sales and distribution are allowed only by those with a license and only to those with a prescription (according to FDA regulations). Possession is not illegal even without a prescription.
http://www.erowid.org/pharms/carisoprodo..._law.shtml
Even where it is scheduled it is only Schedule IV. Far from a felony in any case. Don't be a dope; fight it. Get a lawyer.
Why you were charged is beyond me. Soma laws are very lax. It's easy even for a minor to order large and unusually vast amounts of carioprodol online.
Fight the charge, and because the pigs charged you a felony for a substance that is probably unscheduled in your area, the judge will probably drop all charges and wipe it from your record.
Be smart. The people giving advice in this thread aren't smart. I would go as far as to call them dumb on this subject.
Good luck.
Additional Comment:
Now, I hate to go on a rant here, but you guys telling someone to go to rehab over reefer, get a clue.
I don't like telling people this, but whatever, it's the internet. I overdosed on an over-the-counter disassociative which in molecular relality is similar to Ketamine and PCP called DXM/Dextromethorophan. It's the active ingredient in almost all over the counter cough medicines, and I must say it's one hell of a ride. I was ordered by the hospital to go to therapy and to a rehab facility three times a week for drug testing and therapy.
It was so stupid. As an admitted stoner, it's pointless. I was wasting YOUR money (Yes, it was your money. Good ol' uncle Sam stung you for it) on some therapy and "treatment" I did not want. They make you watch exagerated propaganda flicks on addiction to your drugs of choice. Considering mine is legal and heavily taxed and regulated (and hence makes our wonderful Gov't lots of money) there were no videos on it. They then, obviously, moved on to Marijuana, considering I tested positive on pot every time I went in. The videos told me one hit causes brain damage and chronic pot smoking causes irreversible neuron damage, lung damage, heart damage, etc.
Which, is obviously bullshit.
I could go on, but rehab is bullshit for those who don't want it. You aren't going to force a heroin addict into rehab and make him clean up. As soon as he's free he's just gonna go hit up his smack dealer and get all junked out. Rehab only works for those who want to change. Metalhead got charged, searched, and arrested unlawfully and unjustly, not to mention unconstitutionally.
You were ****ed from many ways Metal, and you let them do it. You could have told them to go away and get a Warrant, but you allowed them to search you. Sorry, your fault. Learn from your mistakes. Cops do not have the right to arrest you for littering. Fine, maybe, but cuffed, searched, and arrested is unlawful. Any good lawyer knows this.
Get a good lawyer, and get smart with your laws and drug usage. Never, ever give consent to a cop to do anything. They cannot do anything without reasonable doubt or a warrant. Stoners get a bad rep because we think that the cops are always out to get us.
This is a prime example of how our paranoia would have won the cause. If it would have been me..
"Officer, I am sorry for littering. I will pick up my garbage and other garbage surrounding me. It will not happen again"
As soon as they mentioned handcuffs and searching, I would have informed them I knew my rights and they were violating them, and they should have a nice night and take care.
Sorry about what happened, but it's your fault.
Fight the felony and I'd bet my ass both the charges get dropped with a good lawyer, along with your dirty record.
Good luck.