Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, there are various criminal charges that can arise from the possession or trafficking in drugs and controlled substances. The level of severity of a drug charge is based on many different factors including the quantity and type of drug, and the alleged intended purpose of its use.

Drug charges can include the possession, trafficking, and production of narcotics such as cocaine, morphine, or methamphetamines, conspiracy charges, and marijuana offenses. While the potential penalties range and vary for the less serious charge of simple possession to the more serious charges involving trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking, the potential consequences of a conviction for drug offenses can be significant. A criminal record for a drug offense can affect your ability to obtain a job, travel, and potentially result in incarceration.

If you have been arrested on a drug charge, know that you may have some valid defenses available to you. For example, under Section 8 of the Charter, you have the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure. The question of the reasonableness of a search is one that comes up often in drug cases. In addition to charter issues involving search and seizure, other strong defenses for drug charges can involve issues relating to the validity of search warrants, witnesses, and wiretap authorizations. If you are being questioned by the police, know that what you say may likely be used to build a case against you.