G.D. Hancock, Ph.D.
Michigan has one law on supplying drugs that cause a death.
Unlawfully delivering a Schedule 1 or 2 controlled substance (other than marijuana) to another person when it is consumed by that person or anyone else and causes their death.
A person who seeks medical help for their own overdose, or who in good faith seeks help for or accompanies someone else, is not guilty of possessing or using an amount sufficient only for personal use when the evidence came from seeking help. It does not cover delivery.
Statute: Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.7403(3)
Does calling for help protect against the drug-death charge? No.
The Good Samaritan law does not list the drug-death offense, so it does not protect against that charge.
Whatever the law says, if someone is overdosing, call 911. A life comes first. More on calling 911.
Federal law applies in every state. When death or serious bodily injury results from using a Schedule I or II drug that a person distributed, federal law sets a mandatory minimum of 20 years and a maximum of life. Federal prosecutors can bring this charge whatever the state law says. (21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A)-(C))
12 cases in the published sample of the drug-induced homicide case database were prosecuted in Michigan. The database is still being built; the complete version will be published when it is finished.
This page describes what the statutes say, as of 7 October 2026. It is not legal advice, and it can’t tell you how a court will apply the law to any particular case. Laws change; check the statute, and please speak to a lawyer in Michigan about your own situation.