Amphetamine

AmphetaminesSpeed, bennies, glass, crystal, crank, pep pills, uppers are stimulants that speed up the central nervous system.  Made in a laboratory, they usually come as a white, greyish white, pale pink or yellow powder, or as a brightly coloured tablet.

Amphetamines can be snorted, swallowed, injected, dissolved in a drink or smoked. In the past, they were used to treat narcolepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and depression, but they have very limited medical applications now. Some common brand names of amphetamines offered by prescription include Adderall, Dextrostat, Desoxyn and ProCentra.

Amphetamine is commonly known as speed, bennies or uppers, or by the street names of amph, billy, sulphate, grudge, dexys, blues, ups, wake-ups, black beauties, jollies, crazy medicine, yaba and crazy horse.

Amphetamines are sometimes used by long-distance truckers, athletes and students at low doses to stay awake and to increase their focus. You may become talkative, restless, excited or hostile, and may behave in a bizarre, repetitive fashion. Amphetamines may cause an adrenaline rush, with breathing and heart rate increasing. Your appetite is suppressed and your body's temperature increases.

The effects of amphetamines are felt about 30 minutes after you ingest them but it is much quicker if injected. The high can last up to six hours followed by a long, slow comedown. Heavy users may suffer from paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations, as well as the risk of being infected with hepatitis and HIV through contaminated needles.

According to information (Methamphetamine [PDF]) from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction, amphetamine or methamphetamine (a slight chemical modification) was detected in 33 per cent of illicit drug overdose deaths between 2016 and 2019 in British Columbia. This proportion has increased substantially from an eight per cent rate in 2008.

Amphetamines along with 21 different varieties of salts, derivatives, isomers and analogues are classified as Schedule ICommonly characterized as “hard drugs" drugs in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The judicial system imposes harsh sentences for these drugs, with their use only allowed for medical or research purposes. They first appeared in Canada in the 1930s as a remedy for nasal congestion, marketed as an inhaler named Benzedrine. Various forms of amphetamines were available until the 1970s, when their risk of abuse and addiction lead to them being labelled illegal substances unless prescribed by a doctor. Along with possessionHaving knowledge and control of something — not only physically holding it, but also an item kept somewhere else that you know about and control. charges, having any detectable amount of amphetamine in your system within two hours of driving is also prohibited

To find you guilty of possessing amphetamines, the Crown must establish beyond a reasonable doubtThe high standard the Crown must meet to prove guilt. that you were in possession of the drug. “Possession” is not just limited to the idea that the drug was found on your person or in your car or house. Instead, it means that you had some degree of control and knowledge of the drug.

As a result, you can be found guilty of possession even if the amphetamine was found at someone else's house or in a friend’s locker.

The Crown must also prove that the substance is listed in the CDSA and that you knew what it was. The Crown does not have to prove that you knew the exact law. But if you genuinely did not know what the substance was, that may matter.

Possession of Substance

Possession of any amphetamine is illegal under s.4 (1) of the CDSA. Because amphetamine is listed in Schedule I, the punishment is set by s. 4(3). If the charge is treated as a summary convictionLess-serious criminal offences, a first offence can result in a fine of up to $1,000, a jail term up to six months or both. For any subsequent offence, the maximum fine is $2,000, the maximum jail term is a year, or both. If the charge is treated as an indictable offenceA more serious type of Canadian criminal offence., the maximum prison term is seven years.

Obtaining substance

Seeking or obtaining amphetamines from a health professional is illegal under s.4 (2) of the CDSA. The punishment for an offence under s. 4(2) is set by s. 4(7). If your charge is treated as a summary conviction, a first offence can result in a fine of up to $1,000, a jail term up to six months or both. For any subsequent offence, the maximum fine is $2,000, the maximum jail term is a year or you could be given both. If the charge is treated as an indictable offence the maximum prison term is seven years.

Trafficking in Substance

Section 5 of the CDSA makes it illegal to possess amphetamines with the intention of traffickingInfluencing the movements of a person in order to exploit them them. All charges are treated as indictable offences with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Importing or Exporting

Importing or exporting amphetamines (CDSA s.6) is an indictable offence with a maximum of life imprisonment. This covers both bringing the drug into Canada and sending it out. There are no mandatory minimum sentences — Parliament removed the former minimums in 2022.

November 17, 2022
Update: Bill C-5: Mandatory Minimum Penalties Repealed.

Amphetamine is currently listed as a Schedule I substance under the CDSA.