LSD

When you take LSD, the effects are felt within 30 to 60 minutes. As the “trip” goes on, sensations peak in two to four hours, then slowly fade over the next 10 to 12 hours.

You may see, hear or feel things that are not there, depending on the amount you take. While tripping, you may feel disconnected from your body and your ability to judge distance, time, or speed will be impaired. Deaths have occurred with people under the influence who believe they can fly or walk through traffic.

Paranoia, psychosis and flashbacks are potential long-term health risks related to frequent LSD use, and they can continue for years after you stop using the drug.

You may know it better by its street names, which include acid, tabs, blotters, barrels, microdots, dots, cid, electric Kool-Aid, Hawaiian sunshine, haze, headlights, hits, kaleidoscope, lucy in the sky with diamonds, mellow yellow and mighty Quinn.

When you take LSD the effects are felt within 30 to 60 minutes. As the “trip” goes on, sensations will peak in two to four hours, then slowly fade over the next 10 to 12 hours.

You may see, hear or feel things that are not really there, depending on the amount you take. While tripping, you may feel disconnected from your body and your ability to judge distance, time or speed will be impaired. Deaths have occurred with people under the influence who believe they can fly or walk through traffic.

Paranoia, psychosis and flashbacks are common long-term health risks related to frequent LSD use, and they can continue for years after you stop using the drug.

In 1962, Canada outlawed the possessionHaving knowledge and control of something — not only physically holding it, but also an item kept somewhere else that you know about and control. and traffickingInfluencing the movements of a person in order to exploit them of LSD as scientists were concerned about both its short and long-term effects on users. The drug is included in Schedule IIIMost hallucinogens of the CDSA, which encompasses most psychedelics or hallucinogens, or substances that produce changes in perception, mood, and cognitive processes.

To find you guilty of possessing LSD, 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  LSD was found at someone else's house or in a friend’s gym bag.

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 LSD is illegal under s.4 (1) of the CDSA. Because LSD is listed in Schedule III, the punishment is set by s. 4(6). If the charge is treated as a summary convictionLess-serious criminal offences, a first offence can result in a fine 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 three years.

Obtaining substance

Seeking or obtaining LSD 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 the 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 three years.

Trafficking, Importing or Exporting

Section 5(1) of the CDSA makes it an offence to traffic in LSD (to sell, give, transfer, transport, send or deliver it). Section 5(2) makes it an offence to possess LSD for the purpose of trafficking. Because LSD is a Schedule III drug, these are hybrid offences: the maximum is 10 years on indictment or 18 months on summary conviction — not life imprisonment. Importing or exporting (s.6) carries the same maximums. There are no mandatory minimum sentences.

Possession for the Purpose of Exporting

Section 6 (1) makes it illegal to possess LSD with the intention of exporting it. If the charge is treated as a summary conviction, you could be facing a jail term of up to 18 months. If the charge is treated as an indictable offence, the maximum prison term is 10 years.

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

LSD is in a different CDSA schedule from substances such as cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine, so the maximum penalties are different.