Every state has different laws regarding illegal drug selling and buying. Nevertheless, drug trafficking is considered a serious crime in any state and country of the world.

If you are charged with drug possession, you should immediately contact Regina drugs charges lawyer. However, drug trafficking charges can be unique and more robust.

So, what is drug trafficking laws in Canada? This article will provide a brief knowledge of drug trafficking charges, penalties, and things to do when charged with such a crime.

What is Drug Trafficking Laws in Canada?

Drug trafficking is one of the most severe crimes anywhere in the world. It is a horrible criminal act that can ruin a person’s life through drug abuse. Several social problems are the cause of drug trafficking leading to drug abuse.

However, Canadian law has a unique definition of drug trafficking. It is not only the buying and selling of drugs on the street. Moreover, drug trafficking is not the possession of drugs either.

So, what is drug trafficking under Canadian law? Any sharing of drugs is considered as drug trafficking in Canada. The drug trafficking protocols are handled by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The CDSA defined drug trafficking very briefly and uniquely.

According to section 2(1) of CDSA, drug trafficking refers to the sale, administer, giveaway, transportation, and substance delivery. If someone authorizes to sell the substances, the person will be considered as a part of the drug trafficking act.

A very common example of a drug trafficking act can be sharing marijuana joints at a party. As mentioned above, selling or supplying intoxicating substances is a part of drug trafficking. As a result, someone sharing a joint of marijuana or weed can be brought into criminal charges as a drug trafficker.

Drug Trafficking Penalties and Sentences

Some illegal drugs under Canadian law include weed, marijuana, cocaine, mescaline, speed, psilocybin, fentanyl, LSD, meth, ecstasy, ice, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, heroin, crystal, and anabolic steroids. Every substance has a different effect on the human body. Depending on their severity, the penalties and sentences of drug trafficking are determined.

Penalties for Hard Drugs Trafficking

Hard drugs are the most common form of substances people use. These substances are widely available. Therefore, they are the most marketed drugs to traffic. Some hard drugs are opium, cocaine, meth, ecstasy, amphetamines, ketamine, and opioids.

The minimum sentence for trafficking hard drugs is 1 to 2 years of imprisonment. However, a drug trafficker can be charged with lifetime imprisonment for the crime of trafficking hard drugs.

Penalties for Hallucinogens Trafficking

Hallucinogens are the most serious kinds of substances. Some of these types of drugs are LSD, DMT, Psylocibin, and mescaline. These drugs are hazardous. There have been reports of people dying from an overdose of these drugs.

As the severity of the drugs can be life-threatening, the penalties for trafficking hallucinogens are highly punishable. A drug trafficker can be jailed for as long as 10 years. Moreover, lifetime imprisonment is not uncommon for trafficking hallucinogen type of drugs.

Penalties for Pharmaceutical Drugs Trafficking

This type of substances is usually medical drugs that can be used for intoxication. Pharmaceutical drugs include benzodiazepines, alprazolam, diazepam, temazepam, and anabolic steroids. It is recommended to use these drugs with a doctor’s prescription only. Therefore, if you are found selling or using these drugs without a prescription, you are a part of a drug trafficking cartel.

As this type of drugs is considered less severe than the previous two, penalties for trafficking pharmaceutical drugs are also quite stringent. A drug trafficker can expect to be jailed for a maximum of 3 years for trafficking these drugs.

Difference between Drug Trafficking and Drug Possession

Many people are still confused about whether there is any difference between drug possession and drug trafficking. Well, there are several differences, and some are pretty obvious.

First of all, possession of drugs is not a criminal offence. Therefore, these cases are not handled by the Criminal Code of Canada. Instead, the CDSA handles such cases.

In general, terms, having physical custody of substances is called drug possession. This involves having control of the drugs for your own benefits or placing them somewhere else. While drug trafficking can be almost similar, there is a fine thin line.

Drug trafficking is the business of selling or buying drugs to make profits. This is quite different from just having the drugs in your possession. Running an entire company and channel of drug buying, selling, and producing is called drug trafficking, and it is a serious crime.

Conclusion

Being caught with drugs can bring you a lot of trouble. You can even be charged with either drug possession or drug trafficking, where letter one is extremely dangerous. What is drug trafficking laws in Canada? You can be sentenced to several years of jail time for such a crime.