Possession of Marijuana is a considered a criminal offence in Canada contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Although many people are under the impression that marijuana possession has been decriminalized in Canada, it is not and any possession is considered a criminal offence.
If you plead guilty, or are found guilty of this charge you are considered a criminal and will receive a criminal record for life.
Many times if this is a first offence the Crown Attorney will consider dropping or withdrawing the charge, or giving the accused “Diversion”.
Diversion is where the charges are dropped in exchange for some course of action by the accused. For Diversion, the Crown Attorney may require the accused to pay a fine, make a charitable donation or perform some sort of community service.
It is very important that individuals charged with such offences seek legal representation and guidance so that the best possible resolution to the charge be obtained.