Drug Offences
Any drug related charge can have serious consequences if convicted. If you’ve been charged with a drug crime or narcotics offence in Toronto, the GTA or anywhere in Ontario you may need to hire a criminal defence law firm experienced in handling drug related cases. The sooner you hire the right firm, the odds of winning your case increase.
Narcotics Related Offences
There are four main narcotics related offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA):
- Possession
- Possession for the purpose of trafficking
- Trafficking
- Importing
A possession charge means you were found with drugs in an amount for personal use. If you have been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, that means that you were in possession of an unlawful substance for the purpose of selling or giving the substance to someone else. This usually means you were in possession of a large amount of an illegal substance — not for personal use but with an intention to sell the drugs. Trafficking in illegal drugs means selling or giving them to other individuals, including undercover police officers. Importation of drugs occurs when you have entered Canada with an illegal substance. This can include drugs that are not in your direct possession, but drugs that have been sent to you.
Changing Cannabis Laws
Cannabis (marijuana) is now legal in Canada, but there are circumstances under which you can face charges including crossing a border with cannabis in your possession, trafficking and driving while high. It is also illegal to sell cannabis without a license — even to a friend or neighbour. Similar to alcohol, legislation exists at both the federal and provincial levels in some instances pertaining to cannabis laws.
The criminal defence lawyers at LZZ have extensive experience successfully defending against all types of drug related allegations, from possession crimes such as marijuana charges, through trafficking cases involving large scale drug shipments across borders. If you or someone you know has been charged with a drug related charge you should contact a criminal lawyer immediately to help determine the best defence. Call us at (416) 613-0416 or (416) 595-9500 or contact us online for a free consultation.
