Drug Charges

Drug offences are some of the most common criminal charges to be laid under the Canadian Criminal Code, and the penalties vary widely depending on the nature of the offence. Charges such as possession for the purposes of trafficking are penalized much more severely than simple possession for personal use, but in every case the charges are serious.

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be regarded as legal advice. If you have been charged with a drug-related offence or any other crime, speak to a lawyer immediately before making any statements to the police.

Possession offences, especially for marijuana, may be treated summarily at the discretion of the Crown, but they are still serious charges that can result in prison terms of up to 7 years if the drug in question is heroin or cocaine. Possession for the purposes of trafficking may result in sentences of life imprisonment, if the drug in question is marijuana, hashish, cocaine or heroin. Production and importation are equally serious and may result in similar sentences if you are found guilty.

Despite the current Liberal government’s pledge to decriminalize the possession and sale of marijuana, it is still classified as a Schedule II controlled substance until the laws are officially changed and you can be criminally charged for either offence.

John has extensive experience defending his clients against drug-related charges, and has used a number of different defence strategies in order to obtain acquittals. He was one of the first lawyers in Canada to get drug-related charges dismissed based on evidence of racial profiling by police, and is a vocal opponent of the practice of ‘carding’ currently in use around the Greater Toronto Area. If you have been charged with any type of drug offence, call John immediately at 416.361.9609 to discuss the details of your case.