Nothing on this page is legal advice — penalties change constantly and facts matter enormously. What follows is the map of how sentencing systems work in our five focus regions, so the stakes are understood before anyone stands in front of a judge.
How the US system works (short version)
- Federal vs state: most possession cases are state; trafficking can be either. Federal simple possession (1st offence): up to 1 year. Trafficking fentanyl >400 g: 10 years to life, mandatory minimum.
- Drug weight drives everything: a baggie + a scale can convert possession into 'possession with intent'.
- Good Samaritan laws: 47 US states + DC protect overdose-callers from possession charges. They only work if someone calls.
- Drug courts & diversion: many jurisdictions route first offences to treatment instead of jail — a fast lawyer request changes outcomes.
The five regions at a glance
Full tables live on our Sentencing page — summary: UK Class A possession (heroin/coke/MDMA) up to 7 years; Canada up to 3 years indictable; the EU varies wildly (Portugal: no prison for personal amounts); Australia state-based, typically up to 2 years; Africa ranges from reform-minded (South Africa decriminalized personal cannabis) to severe.
What to actually do if arrested
- Say only: 'I want a lawyer and I'm exercising my right to remain silent.'
- Do not consent to searches verbally — say 'I do not consent' calmly
- Never discuss where anything came from — that sentence converts charges
- Ask about diversion/drug court — they exist precisely for this
The one thing that outweighs all of itA living person beats a clean record. If someone is overdosing: CALL. Good Samaritan laws exist so fear of jail never wins over a life.