Drug possession
Encyclopedia
Drug possession is the crime
of having one or more illegal drugs in one's possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale or otherwise. Illegal drugs fall into different categories and sentences vary depending on the amount, type of drug, circumstances, and jurisdiction.
A person has possession of drugs if he or she has actual physical control of the drugs (they have the drugs in their hands) or if the drugs are on that person. A person also has possession of drugs if he or she has the power and intent to control their disposition and use.
In the United States
, the penalty for illegal drug possession and sale can vary from a small fine to a prison sentence. In some states, marijuana
possession is considered to be a petty offense, with the penalty being comparable to that of a speeding violation. Generally, however, drug possession is an arrestable offense, although offenders rarely serve jail time.
In Singapore
, 70% of executions are for drug-related offenses, which encompasses drug possession. There is a national drug control law known as the Misuse of Drugs Act
used to assess and determine drug trafficking
. Drug possession can account for imprisonment
, caning
and capital punishment
, based on the amount of controlled drugs a person possesses.
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
of having one or more illegal drugs in one's possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale or otherwise. Illegal drugs fall into different categories and sentences vary depending on the amount, type of drug, circumstances, and jurisdiction.
A person has possession of drugs if he or she has actual physical control of the drugs (they have the drugs in their hands) or if the drugs are on that person. A person also has possession of drugs if he or she has the power and intent to control their disposition and use.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the penalty for illegal drug possession and sale can vary from a small fine to a prison sentence. In some states, marijuana
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
possession is considered to be a petty offense, with the penalty being comparable to that of a speeding violation. Generally, however, drug possession is an arrestable offense, although offenders rarely serve jail time.
In Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, 70% of executions are for drug-related offenses, which encompasses drug possession. There is a national drug control law known as the Misuse of Drugs Act
Misuse of Drugs Act (Singapore)
The Misuse of Drugs Act is a national drug control law classifying substances into three categories, Classes A, B, and C. Section 44 provides that "The Minister may, by an order published in the Gazette" add, remove, or transfer drugs among the classes...
used to assess and determine drug trafficking
Illegal drug trade
The illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
. Drug possession can account for imprisonment
Imprisonment
Imprisonment is a legal term.The book Termes de la Ley contains the following definition:This passage was approved by Atkin and Duke LJJ in Meering v Grahame White Aviation Co....
, caning
Caning
Caning is a form of corporal punishment consisting of a number of hits with a single cane usually made of rattan, generally applied to the offender's bare or clothed buttocks or hand . Application of a cane to the knuckles or the shoulders has been much less common...
and capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
, based on the amount of controlled drugs a person possesses.