What You Need to Know if You Are Charged With Possession of Illegal Drugs

Possessing and producing illegal drugs, whether for the purpose of consumption, trafficking, importing or exporting, is a criminal offense in Canada. If you are found to be in possession of illegal drugs, you may be punished with fines, a jail sentence and a criminal record.

The most commonly used illegal drugs in Canada are amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine and crack. Other illegal drugs in circulation are heroin, LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, barbiturates and anabolic steroids. The penalties for possessing these drugs under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act are as follows:

Cannabis:

Cannabis is a group of drugs that includes marijuana, hashish and hash oil.

• The maximum penalty for an indictable offence is imprisonment for up to 5 years.
• For an offence punishable on summary conviction, there is a fine of up to $1000 and/or a prison term not exceeding 6 months. For subsequent offences, the punishment can be a fine up to $2000 and/or imprisonment of 1 year.

LSD, Amphetamines, Hallucinogens:

• Less serious charges are tried by summary conviction and the maximum penalty for first offence is a fine of up to $1000 or a prison sentence of up to six month or both. For subsequent offences, the penalty is a fine of up to $2000 and/or a prison sentence of up to one year.
• More serious charges are tried by indictment and the maximum penalty is a prison sentence of up to three years.

Cocaine, Crack and Heroin:

• A first offence is punishable by summary conviction and the maximum penalty is a fine of up to $1000 and/or a prison sentence of 6 months. A subsequent offence may involve a fine up to $2000 and/or a maximum imprisonment term of 1 year.
• More serious charges are tried by indictment and the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to seven years.

If you are charged with possession of illegal drugs, then you should contact a criminal defense lawyer immediately. Without a lawyer, you have very little chances of success when it comes to cases of drug possession. If you are looking for an experienced lawyer then contact Donna V. Pledge. She is a highly regarded Toronto criminal defense lawyer with over two decades of experience in defending clients charged with illegal drug possession.