View source for Drug Possession (Offence)

[[fr:Possession de drogue (infraction)]]
{{Currency2|December|2022}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffences}}

{{OffenceBox 
|OffenceTitle=Drug Possession 
|OffencePage=Drug Possession 
|Section=4|Act={{OBCDSA}} 
|CrownElection={{OBHybridElection}}<br> {{OBSummaryElection}} (<1g res. or 10g mj) 
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAllUnder14}} <br>{{OBJurisdictionAbsolute}} (Sch II) 
|Bail={{OBBailAll}} 
|SummaryDisp= {{OBDispAll}}  
|SummaryMin=varies <!--{{OBMinNone}} {{OBTime|XX}}--> 
|SummaryMax=varies <!--{{OBTime|XX}} {{OBSConviction}}-->
|IndictableDisp= {{OBDispSame}} 
|IndictableMin= varies <!--{{OBMinNone}} {{OBTime|XX}}-->
|IndictableMax= varies  <!--{{OBTime|XX}}--> 
}}

This concerns possession of drugs for personal use. For charges related to possession for the purpose of trafficking, see [[Drug Trafficking (Offence)|Drug Trafficking]].

==Overview==
{{seealso|Drug Offences}}
{{OverviewCDSA|drug possession}}

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsHybridList-N|s. 4(3) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(3)CDSA}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-IfCrown}}|{{No-Under14}} }} 
{{PleadingsHybridList-N|s. 4(4) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(4)CDSA}} | {{Yes}} | {{No}}|{{No-Under14}} }} 
{{PleadingsHybridList-N|s. 4(6) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(6)CDSA}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-IfCrown}}|{{No-Under14}} }} 
{{PleadingsHybridList-N|s. 4(7)(a)(i) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(i)CDSA}}<br>s. 4(7)(a)(ii) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(ii)CDSA}} <br>s. 4(7)(a)(iii) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(iii)CDSA}}<br> s. 4(7)(a)(iv) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(iv)CDSA}}| {{Yes}} | {{Yes-IfCrown}} | {{No-Under14}} }} 
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsAbsolute|s. 4(4) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(4)CDSA}} }}

; Release
{{ReleaseOptions-Hybrid|s. 4 [all Schedules]}}

:''<u>Reverse Onus Bail</u>''
{{ReverseOnusCirc}}

; Publication Bans
{{GeneralPubBan}}

; Offence Designations
{{DesignationHeader}}
|-
|s. 4(3) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(3)CDSA}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{XMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{XMark}} <!--IPRA-->
|-
|s. 4(4) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(4)CDSA}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{XMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> ||{{XMark}}  <!--IPRA-->
|-
|s. 4(7)(a)(i) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(i)CDSA}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{XMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{XMark}} <!--IPRA-->
|-
|s. 4(7)(a)(ii) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(ii)CDSA}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{XMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> ||{{XMark}}  <!--IPRA-->
|-
|s. 4(7)(a)(iii) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(iii)CDSA}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{XMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> ||{{XMark}}  <!--IPRA-->
|-
|s. 4(7)(a)(iv) or (b) CDSA {{DescrSec|4(7)(a)(iv)CDSA}} || {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{XMark}} <!--DO-->||{{XMark}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{XMark}} <!--IPRA-->
{{DesignationEnd}}

<!--repealed {{MMinNoticeCDSA}}-->

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation2|
; PART I
; Offences and Punishment
; Particular Offences
; Possession of substance
4 (1) Except as authorized under the regulations, no person shall possess a substance included in Schedule I {{AnnSecC|S-I}}, II {{AnnSecC|S-II}} or III {{AnnSecC|S-III}}.

; Obtaining substance
(2) No person shall seek or obtain
:(a) a substance included in Schedule I [''[[CDSA Schedules#SCHEDULE I|opiates and related]]''], II [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_II|cannaboids]]''], III [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_III|psychedelics]]''] or IV  [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_IV|barbiturates]]''], or
:(b) an authorization to obtain a substance included in Schedule I [''[[CDSA Schedules#SCHEDULE I|opiates and related]]''], II [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_II|cannaboids]]''], III [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_III|psychedelics]]''] or IV [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_IV|barbiturates]]''] from a practitioner, unless the person discloses to the practitioner particulars relating to the acquisition by the person of every substance in those Schedules, and of every authorization to obtain such substances, from any other practitioner within the preceding thirty days.

; Punishment
(3) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) {{AnnSecC|4(1)}} where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I {{AnnSecC-Sch|S-I}}
:(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years; or
:(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable
::(i) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, and
::(ii) for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

; Punishment
(4) Subject to subsection (5), every person who contravenes subsection (1) {{AnnSecC|4(1)}} where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule II {{AnnSecC|S-II}}
:(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years less a day; or
:(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable
::(i) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, and
::(ii) for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

(5) [Repealed, {{LegHistory10s|2018, c. 16}}, s. 195]

; Punishment
(6) Every person who contravenes subsection (1) {{AnnSecC|4(1)}} where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule III {{AnnSecC|S-III}}
:(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years; or
:(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable
::(i) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, and
::(ii) for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

; Punishment
(7) Every person who contravenes subsection (2) {{AnnSecC|4(2)}}
:(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
::(i) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule I [''[[CDSA Schedules#SCHEDULE I|opiates and related]]''],
::(ii) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years less a day, where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule II [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_II|cannaboids]]''],
::(iii) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule III [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_III|psychedelics]]''], or
::(iv) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months, where the subject-matter of the offence is a substance included in Schedule IV [''[[CDSA_Schedules#SCHEDULE_IV|barbiturates]]'']; or
:(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable
::(i) for a first offence, to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both, and
::(ii) for a subsequent offence, to a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or to both.

(8) [Repealed, {{LegHistory10s|2018, c. 16}}, s. 195]

{{LegHistoryCDSA|1996, c. 19}}, s. 4; 
{{LegHistoryCDSA|2018, c. 16}}, s. 195.
{{Annotations}}
|{{CDSASec2|4}}
|{{NoteUpCDSA|4|1|2|3|4|6|7}}
}}


===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{DraftHeader}}
|-
| 4(1)
| 
|"{{ellipsis1}}, had in his or her possession [type of substance], a controlled substance, without being authorized b the CDSA REgulatiosn{{ToWit-Particulars}} contrary to section 4(1) of the ''Controlled Drugs and Substances Act''.
|-
| 4(2)(a)
| 
|"{{ellipsis1}}, had in his or her possession [type of substance], a controlled substance, without being authorized by the CDSA Regulations{{ToWit-Particulars}} contrary to section 4(2)(a) of the ''Controlled Drugs and Substances Act''.
|-
| 4(2)(b)
| 
|"{{ellipsis1}}, contrary to section 4(2)(b) of the ''Controlled Drugs and Substances Act''.
{{DraftEnd}}

==Proof of the Offence==
{{ElementHeader}}
{{ElementLeft}}

{{Proving|drug possession|4(1) CDSA}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit [[Possession|possessed]] a substance (knowledge, consent, control)
# {{box}} Substance is a [[Proof of Controlled Substance|Control Substance under the CDSA]], Schedule I, II or III (certificate of analysis, chain of possession, amounts found)
# {{box}} possession of Substance was not authorized under the CDSA regulation

{{ElementRight}}

{{Proving|obtaining a substance|4(2) CDSA}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit sought or obtained a substance;
# {{box}} the substance is a controlled substance under Schedule I, II, III or IV ''or'' an "authorization to obtain a substance included in Schedule I, II, III or IV"
# {{box}} the culprit seek to obtain "from a practitioner"
# {{box}} the person does not disclose to the practitioner the "particulars relating to the acquisition by the person of every substance in those Schedules, and of every authorization to obtain such substances, from any other practitioner within the preceding thirty days."

{{ElementEnd}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==

The offence described in s. 4(2)(a) is oftne known as "double doctoring".

===Knowledge of Drug===
As part of the proof of possession, the accused must have knowledge of the narcotic substance.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Blondin|g9g5g|1970 CanLII 1006 (BC CA)|2 CCC (2d) 118 (BCCA)}}{{perBCCA|Davey CJ}}</ref> 
It is not necessary however to be aware of the exact type of drug, rather only be aware that it is illegal.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Burgess|g15vq|1969 CanLII 467 (ON CA)|[1970] 3 CCC 268 (ONCA)}}{{perONCA|Brooke JA}}</ref>

Simply having knowledge of a package containing a "steroid" may be insufficient to infer knowledge of the substance as being a steroid listed in the CDSA Schedules.<ref>
e.g. {{CanLIIRx|States|hmr6s|2017 NSSC 276 (CanLII)}}{{perNSSC|Wood J}}
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Jurisdiction===
Where the drug is under Schedule II, the offence is an [[Election|absolute jurisdiction offence]] and ''must'' be tried in provincial court.<ref>
see s. 553
</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==Defences==
* [[De Minimus Non Curat Lex]]

==Participation of Third Parties==
{{seealso|Role of the Victim and Third Parties|Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses}}

; Testimonial Aids
{{3rdPTestimonyAids}}

; On Finding of Guilt
{{VictimHeader}} <!-- Sections / Notice of Agree / Notice of Restitution / Notice of VIS --> 
|s. 4 {{DescrSec|4CDSA}} ||  || || 
|- 
{{VictimEnd}}
<!--
{{606Notice5Y|XX}}
{{606NoticeSPIO|XX}}
-->
{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{seealsoSentencing}}
{{seealsoSentencingDrugs}}
===Penalties by Category===
The maximum penalties are broken down as follows:

{|cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" border="1"  style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:80%" class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Schedule !! Amount !! Obtained From !!Prior Convictions !! Maximum !! Section
|-
| I || Any ||  Anyone || None ||  7 years jail (Indictment) / $1,000 or 6 months jail || 4(3)(a) or (b)(i)
|-
| I || Any || Anyone || One or more ||7 years jail (Indictment) / $2,000 or 1 year jail ||4(3)(a) or (b)(ii)
|-
| I || Any || practitioner ||  None  ||7 years jail (Indictment) /  $1,000 or 6 months jail ||4(7)(a)(i) or (b)(i)
|-
| I || Any || practitioner ||  One or more  ||7 years jail (Indictment) / $2,000 or 1 year jail|| 4(7)(a)(i) or (b)(ii)
|-
| II || > 1g resin or 30g cannabis|| Anyone || None || 5 years less a day jail (Indictment) / $1,000 or 6 months jail || 4(4)(a) or (b)(i)
|-
| II || > 1g resin or 30g cannabis||  Anyone ||One or more || 5 years less a day jail (Indictment) / $2,000 or 1 year jail || 4(4)(a) or (b)(ii)
|-
| II || =< 1g resin or 30g cannabis|| Anyone || Any || $1,000 or 6 months jail || 4(5)
|-
| II || Any || practitioner || None|| 5 years less a day jail (Indictment) / $1,000 or 6 months jail || 4(7)(a)(ii) or (b)(i)
|-
| II || Any || practitioner || One or more || 5 years less a day jail / $2,000 or 1 year jail||4(7)(a)(ii) or (b)(ii)
|-
| III || Any|| Anyone || None || 7 years jail (Indictment) / $1,000 or 6 months jail ||4(6)(a) or (b)(i)
|-
| III || Any||  Anyone ||One or More || 7 years jail (Indictment) / $2,000 or 1 year jail||4(6)(a) or (b)(ii)
|-
| III || Any|| practitioner || None || {{JailY|3}} jail (Indictment) / $1,000 or 6 months jail||4(7)(a)(iii) or (b)(i)
|-
| III || Any|| practitioner || One or more || {{JailY|3}} jail (Indictment) / $2,000 or 1 year jail||4(7)(a)(iii) or (b)(ii)
|-
| IV || Any|| practitioner || None || {{Max18Months}} (Indictment) / $1,000 or 6 months jail ||4(7)(a)(iv) or (b)(i)
|-
| IV || Any|| practitioner || One or more || {{Max18Months}} (Indictment) / $2,000 or 1 year jail||4(7)(a)(iv) or (b)(ii)
|}

===Schedule I: Heroin, Cocaine, etc.===

; Heroin
Heroin is considered amongst the most dangerous drugs. It is treated very seriously and will often attract the toughest penalties.

; Cocaine


===Schedule II: Marijuana, Hash, etc.===
First-time offenders will typically get discharges or fines. Probation can be given where the background of the offender suggests that a rehabilitation is in order.

Where there is a prior related record there can be short jail sentences given.

===Schedule III: Amphetamines, Hallucinogens, etc.===

===Schedule IV: Barbiturates, Steroids, etc.===

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
; Offence-specific Orders
* None

; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==Record Suspensions and Pardons== 
{{RecordSuspension|s. 4 CDSA}}

==History==

* [[History of Drug Offences]]

==See Also==
* [[CDSA Schedules]]

{{OffencesNavBar/Drugs}}