It's the Law - Marijuana

There's been a lot of talk lately about proposed changes to Canada's laws when it comes to marijuana and hash, but let's get one point straight - right off the bat: marijuana and hash are illegal substances in Canada, from British Columbia to Newfoundland, from north to south, and everywhere in between. The reason why some people might tell you differently is because the federal government has been talking about updating the laws (and they have now proposed reforms which are being reviewed by Parliament) and because of that, some people have just jumped to conclusions in saying that it will no longer be illegal. However, marijuana is and will remain illegal in Canada.

What happens if you are caught with drugs?

If you are caught in possession of marijuana or hash, police have a number of options with which to respond. How the police choose to proceed will likely depend on the circumstances. If you are caught with a small amount of marijuana or hash, police may simply choose to give you a warning, or refer you to a program that might serve to educate, or rehabilitate you. However, if you are caught in possession of a larger quantity, the police may decide that a warning or referral is not sufficient to hold you accountable, particularly if they suspect that you have been dealing, or in the case of marijuana, growing. Being in possession of drugs on school grounds, or even near schools, may also prompt a more severe response by police.

Young persons aged 12 to 17 who are caught with drugs will be subject to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which came into force on April 1, 2003. For more information about the potential consequences of being caught with drugs, as well as information about your rights in such cases, please refer to the Youth Justice website: http://canada.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/yj/index.html

Young persons 18 years of age or older who are caught in possession of drugs will be dealt with as any other adult would. As such, potential consequences for drug offences could be more severe, given that maximum penalties are greater under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and sentencing considerations for adults are not the same as for persons aged 12 to 17.

No matter what you're charged with - be it smuggling or simple possession - and regardless of how the police deal with the incident, the consequences are always serious and can affect your life big time:

• It can hurt your credibility and chances at getting a decent job.
• Drug convictions can even in some circumstances eliminate your chances of getting a job in certain professions.
• If you're a recent immigrant from another country, there's a risk that you might get deported.
• Some countries won't allow you to cross their border for certain offences (including the United States).
• You could conceivably have to spend time in custody - depending on the seriousness of the charge - and that can seriously hurt your family and social life.