Illicit Drug Laws in Australia – Possession, Supply & More
The use and possession of illicit drugs carry a wide range of potential penalties in Australia.
Read on to learn more about the current legal landscape when it comes to drug offences in New South Wales.
Prohibited drugs
NSW legislation includes a list of ‘prohibited drugs’ for the purpose of drug offences. In NSW there are different offences and penalties depending on the type of drug, the amount of the drug and your involvement with the drug.
Amounts
Penalties for drug possession or trafficking depend on how much of the individual drug you are found to have on you. Any amount above the trafficable quantity” will lead to a more severe penalty, as it is assumed that you had the intention to sell or distribute the drugs in question, rather than being considered for your own personal use.
The trafficable amounts are as follows:
- Cannabis – 300 grams or 5 plants
- Cocaine – 3 grams
- Heroin – 3 grams
- Amphetamine (Speed) – 3 grams
- Methyl amphetamine (Ice) – 3 grams
- Ecstasy – 3 grams
Higher penalties apply for even larger amounts. Amounts that are considered to be a “commercial quantity” will lead to more serious consequences. Examples of commercial quantities are:
- Cannabis – 25kg or 250 plants
- Cocaine – 250 grams (pure)
- Heroin – 250 grams (pure)
- Methyl amphetamine (ice)
- Ecstasy – 5 grams
Drug Possession
Drug possession is defined as having a prohibited drug in your possession which may include on your person or in your car.
Being charged with possession of prohibited drugs carries a large spectrum of penalties depending on what drug you are caught with and what quantity you have. If you are found guilty of possession you may be fines up to $2,200 or spend up to 2 years in custody, or both.
Cultivation and Manufacturing
It is illegal to grow or cultivate plants such as marijuana or to produce drugs such as ecstasy or amphetamines.
A person who manufactures or produces prohibited drugs or a person who knowingly takes part in manufacturing or producing prohibited drugs is guilty of an offence. Even watering a marijuana plant once could be considered cultivation of a marijuana plant.
The offences of cultivating and manufacturing prohibited drugs is a very serious offence and is an indictable offence, this means that if the matter proceeds to trial, the trial is before a judge and a jury.
Driving under the influence of drugs
In NSW police are able to test for alcohol and drugs during a road side test.
The penalty for driving under the influence of drugs varies depending on what drug is detected in your system.
If you drive with cannabis, speed/ice or ecstasy in oral fluid, blood or urine, for a first offence the maximum court imposed fine is $1,100, the minimum period of licence disqualification is 3 months and the automatic period of licence disqualification in the absence of a court order is 6 months.
If you have concerns or enquiries about drug-related laws, seek expert criminal law legal advice.
Consult the Wollongong legal experts at DGB Lawyers for professional advice today.