Controlled Drugs and Substances Act | 1996, c. 19 — Canada law | Esheria

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

This Act defines key drug-control terms and generally prohibits possession, trafficking, importing/exporting, producing, and certain possession or sale of items tied to drug production or trafficking, unless authorized by the regulations.

AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.

Jurisdiction
Canada
Instrument
Act or statute
Citation
1996, c. 19
Version
26 May 2026
Language
en
Official source
View official record ↗
asset forfeiture compliance controlled substances import controls import registration inspections law enforcement records licensing licensing compliance ministerial decisions ministerial orders penalties regulatory applications regulatory orders schedule amendments seizure and forfeiture statutory reviews

Statute overview

About this statute

This Act defines key drug-control terms and generally prohibits possession, trafficking, importing/exporting, producing, and certain possession or sale of items tied to drug production or trafficking, unless authorized by the regulations. This provision gives inspectors and the Minister broad enforcement powers, requires cooperation with inspectors, sets rules for return or forfeiture of seized substances and property, and makes certain conduct offences punishable by fines or imprisonment. The provision sets out what an exemption application must contain, how the Minister may give notice and publish decisions, and several ministerial and Governor in Council powers about schedules and reviews. This provision creates a transitional rule for exemptions and sets out violation, notice, review, compliance agreement, and penalty processes, including controls on designated devices and ministerial powers.