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Difference between revisions of "Possession of Marijuana"
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Possession of Marijuana (view source)
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This means, for example, that an adult can legally possess '''150 grams of fresh cannabis'''. | This means, for example, that an adult can legally possess '''150 grams of fresh cannabis'''. | ||
If I’m charged with possession over the legal limit, is the amount of marijuana important? | ===If I’m charged with possession over the legal limit, is the amount of marijuana important?=== | ||
Yes — a small amount is less serious. The more you have, the greater the chance you may be charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, a more serious offence with more serious penalties. The way the marijuana is packaged is also important. | Yes — a small amount is less serious. The more you have, the greater the chance you may be charged with '''possession for the purpose of trafficking''', a more serious offence with more serious penalties. The way the marijuana is packaged is also important. | ||
Can I bring marijuana across the border? | |||
===Can I bring marijuana across the border?=== | |||
No. It’s illegal to transport cannabis across the Canadian border. It doesn’t matter whether you’re leaving or entering Canada, or what the laws of your destination are. This prohibition applies even if you are authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes, and no matter how much cannabis you have with you. | No. It’s illegal to transport cannabis across the Canadian border. It doesn’t matter whether you’re leaving or entering Canada, or what the laws of your destination are. This prohibition applies even if you are authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes, and no matter how much cannabis you have with you. | ||
What are the rules for young people? | |||
If you are under age 19, it is not legal in BC to possess or use cannabis. (There is an exemption for medical marijuana, with proof you can possess medical marijuana.) | ===What are the rules for young people?=== | ||
If you are under 19 and you possess more than five grams of cannabis, the police can give you a ticket. The penalty is a $200 fine. If you pay the fine in full, you won’t get a criminal record. | If you are under age 19, it is not legal in BC to possess or use cannabis. (There is an [https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/laws/regu/bc-reg-204-2018/latest/bc-reg-204-2018.html#sec27_smooth exemption] for medical marijuana, with proof you can possess medical marijuana.) | ||
If you are under 19 and you possess '''more than five grams of cannabis''', the police can give you a ticket. The penalty is a $200 fine. If you pay the fine in full, you won’t get a criminal record. | |||
It is an offence to sell or supply cannabis to someone under age 19. | It is an offence to sell or supply cannabis to someone under age 19. | ||
Get help | |||
Finding a lawyer | ==Get help== | ||
The legal issues for possession of marijuana over the legal limit can be complex and a conviction can seriously harm you. You can call the Lawyer Referral Service to get the name of a lawyer. For $25 plus taxes, you can speak to the lawyer for 30 minutes about your case, to help decide whether you would want to hire them. | |||
Toll-free: 1-800-663-1919 | ===Finding a lawyer=== | ||
Web: cbabc.org | The legal issues for possession of marijuana over the legal limit can be complex and a conviction can seriously harm you. You can call the '''Lawyer Referral Service''' to get the name of a lawyer. For $25 plus taxes, you can speak to the lawyer for 30 minutes about your case, to help decide whether you would want to hire them. | ||
You can contact Legal Services Society to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer under legal aid. | :Toll-free: 1-800-663-1919 | ||
:Web: [http://www.cbabc.org/For-the-Public/Lawyer-Referral-Service cbabc.org] | |||
You can contact '''Legal Services Society''' to find out if you qualify for a free lawyer under legal aid. | |||
Telephone: 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver | Telephone: 604-408-2172 in Greater Vancouver | ||
Toll-free: 1-866-577-2525 | :Toll-free: 1-866-577-2525 | ||
Web: legalaid.bc.ca | :Web: [https://lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/criminalLaw.php legalaid.bc.ca] | ||
If you can’t afford to hire a lawyer and you don’t qualify for legal aid, try to talk with a lawyer before deciding how to respond to any charge against you. On your first appearance in court or when you enter your plea, you can talk to duty counsel at the courthouse. These are lawyers who give free legal advice to people who have a case in the courthouse on that day. | |||
Web: legalaid.bc.ca | If you can’t afford to hire a lawyer and you don’t qualify for legal aid, try to talk with a lawyer before deciding how to respond to any charge against you. On your first appearance in court or when you enter your plea, you can talk to '''duty counsel''' at the courthouse. These are lawyers who give free legal advice to people who have a case in the courthouse on that day. | ||
More information | :Web: [https://lss.bc.ca/legal_aid/criminalAndImmigrationDutyCounsel.php legalaid.bc.ca] | ||
The BC government’s Get Cannabis Clarity website explains cannabis laws, including where you can buy, use or grow marijuana. | |||
Web: cannabis.gov.bc.ca | ===More information=== | ||
The federal government’s Cannabis in Canada website summarizes cannabis laws. | The BC government’s ''''''Get Cannabis Clarity website explains cannabis laws, including where you can buy, use or grow marijuana. | ||
Web: canada.ca/cannabis | :Web: [https://cannabis.gov.bc.ca/ cannabis.gov.bc.ca] | ||
The federal government’s '''Cannabis in Canada''' website summarizes cannabis laws. | |||
:Web: [http://canada.ca/cannabis canada.ca/cannabis] | |||
