Drugs and the law
Know the legal stuff about drugs.
Article by : SpunOut.ie
The lowdown on drugs and the law:
- It's the type of drug and the quantity that decides what punishment the court gives you. If you have a large amount of drugs then you might be charged with planning to sell (deal) to other people. This is a serious offence.
- With possession of other illegal drugs for your own use you can be fined and/or jailed for up to seven years.
- With possession of illegal drugs for supply (or dealing) you can be fined and/or jailed for a maximum sentence as much as life imprisonment.
- It's illegal to grow cannabis plants or opium poppies.
- If you're caught with cannabis for your own use and it's a first offence then you'll be fined. With more offences the court can order up to three years prison time.
Find out more about drugs and the law in the Republic of Ireland here.
In Northern Ireland drugs are divided into classes (A, B, C, etc). The punishment is most serious for Class A drugs.
- Class A includes Opium, Crack, Cocaine, Heroin, Ecstasy and LSD, Magic Mushrooms and Amphetamines (speed) for injection. Being caught with these drugs for your own use can mean up to seven years prison time and/or a fine. Being caught with enough for supplying (or dealing) can mean up to life imprisonment and/or a fine.
- Class B includes Amphetamines (speed), Barbiturates and Codeine. Being caught with these drugs for your own use can mean up to five years prison time and/or a fine. Being caught with these drugs for supply (or dealing) can mean up to 14 years prison time and/or a fine.
- Class C includes Cannabis, some painkillers, most anabolic steroids and tranquillizers. Being caught with these drugs for your own use can mean up to two years prison time and a fine. Being caught with these drugs for supply (or dealing) can mean up to five years prison time and a fine.
Possession of drugs
If you're arrested for possession of drugs, the seriousness of the offence is decided by whether you only had enough for personal use or you had enough to supply (or sell) to others.
- Personal use is less serious and is all about quantity of the drug. The court will decide if the amount is small enough to just be for immediate personal use or not.
- If the court decides the drug amount you have is more than for personal use, you'll be charged with possession for supply. This means you're being charged with having the illegal drugs to sell or give to others. It doesn't matter if you've actually sold the drug or not.
- The Gardaí or the Police can legally search you or a vehicle without a warrant if they suspect you might have illegal drugs in your possession or have drug involvement.
- They can also arrest you if they've reasonable grounds to suspect you of a crime under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
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