Category Archives: Cannabis

Roadside Screening Device for Testing Drivers’ Saliva for Cannabis

In July, 2018, the Federal Government approved the first device for testing drivers’ saliva for the presence of drugs.

Until now, the police would test for drug-impaired driving by conducted a roadside standardized field sobriety test, which involves tests such as standing on one foot or walking in a straight line.

The saliva-testing device is a mobile device which will allow police officers to swab the inside of a driver’s mouth to receive a sample of oral fluid. The oral fluid would then be run in a mobile machine to test for the presence of THC to determine if there has been recent consumption of cannabis. The saliva-testing device has also been approved to test for the recent consumption of cocaine.

If a driver fails a mobile screening device, the result will be used along with other observations to form a police officer’s reasonable grounds that the driver is impaired by drugs. The driver will be arrested and transported to a police station for further testing.

Unlike an alcohol-screen device, the science behind a drug-screening device is much less established. There will be many challenges to the reliability of the mobile device and oral fluid testing.

If you have been charged with drug-impaired driving, contact Lockyer Posner Craig for assistance.

Recreational Drug Use

As the date for the legalization of recreational use of cannabis approaches there are still many unanswered questions. One important unknown is what restrictions there will be on home cultivation in Ontario. Although the federal bill allows for home cultivation of up to four plants per household, each province is able to set out their own laws and regulations. For instance, Quebec and Manitoba have already established that, regardless of what is set out in the federal legislation, homegrown cannabis will be banned in those provinces. If the Ontario government follows suit, individuals may need to retain lawyers to challenge the law in order to grow cannabis at home for personal recreational use.

While the Courts have gradually become more lenient with those charged with the use and sale
of cannabis, the use and sale of opioids, such as fentanyl, is attracting harsh treatment in our judicial system. The use of this drug began as a misuse of pharmaceutical fentanyl, a prescription drug in the form of transdermal patches or lozenges. However, consumption of illegally made fentanyl has become more and more common leading to an ongoing problem. Statistics show that Opioid-related overdose deaths have steeply increased in recent years. A substantial amount of these deaths are related to fentanyl products. The public outcry to the devastating effect of this hallucinogen has resulted in a phenomenon commonly referred to as the “fentanyl epidemic”. The courts have acknowledged this crisis and began imposing harsher punishments on fentanyl related offences as compared to charges involving other illicit drugs such as cocaine, crack cocaine and ecstasy. The trend in this area of sentencing is to impose stiffer sentences when the offence involves trafficking in fentanyl.

Being arrested for an offence related to the possession of fentanyl is extremely serious. The use and trafficking of this opioid is becoming more common as testing has shown that heroin and cocaine now are more likely to have fentanyl mixed in – often without the user and/or possessor’s knowledge. It is important for the recreational drug user to know about the serious health and legal consequences arising out of using and dealing in drugs that may contain fentanyl. If you have been arrested for a drug related offence, contact Lockyer Posner Craig for assistance.

Drug Charges and Drug Trafficking Charges

The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) sets out which drugs are illegal in Canada
(marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.). There are four main offences in the CDSA: possession,
possession for the purpose, trafficking, and importing.

A possession charge means you are found with drugs in an amount for personal use. If it is your
first time facing a possession charge (under 30 grams of marijuana), you may be eligible for a diversion program. This means your charges may be withdrawn.

Possession for the purpose of trafficking means that you are in possession of an unlawful
substance for the purpose of selling or giving the substance to another person. This usually
means you are in possession of a large amount of an illegal substance – not for personal use (i.e.
you intend to sell the drugs). Trafficking in illegal drugs means selling or giving them to other
individuals, including undercover police officers. Importation of drugs occurs when you enter
Canada with an illegal substance.

Many people ask the question, “How do I beat my drug charge?” when charged with a drug
offence.

To be found guilty, the Crown must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The Crown
must always prove the nature of the substance and possession of the substance. To prove
possession, the Crown must show that you had knowledge and control of the substance. When
charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, the Crown must also prove that the
possession was for the purpose of trafficking.

Even if the Crown proves all of the necessary elements of the offence, you can still win your
case by demonstrating that your rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms have been
violated by the police. For example, your right to be protected against unlawful search and
seizure may have been violated if the police searched a home or a car without a search warrant.

If you have been arrested and charged with any drug offences (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, etc.),
Lockyer Posner Craig can help you to avoid a criminal conviction.

Arrested for growing and selling Marijuana?

Question:

Arrested for growing and selling Marijuana or Cannabis?

Answer:

Marijuana (marihuana, pot, cannabis) is set to become legal in Canada on October 17, 2018, but that doesn’t mean that it’s legal yet. Even when it is becomes legal, the purchase, sale, possession, and production of the drug will be heavily regulated. Here are some of the important laws that are anticipated to apply in Ontario:

In order to legally purchase, consume, or grow marijuana, you will need to be 19 years of age
You will only be able to consume it in a private residence
You will only be able to possess 30 grams of dried marihuana; and
You will only be able to grow four plants at any given residence

If you have been arrested and charged with any charges in relation to marijuana, or any other drugs under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Lockyer Posner Craig can help you to avoid a criminal conviction.