Criminal Defense Lawyers in Guelph
Cannabis is legal in Canada, but only within strict limits. In a university city like Guelph, many people are surprised to learn that sharing with the wrong person, carrying too much or selling to friends can still lead to criminal charges. Some of those offences carry penalties as serious as traditional drug trafficking.
Provident Law LLP defends Guelph residents and University of Guelph students charged by Guelph Police Service, and Wellington County residents charged by the OPP. Our partners attend the Guelph courthouse for key hearings and handle early steps by video where the court allows.
- 24/7 arrest and bail line: (647) 254-9617
- Free, confidential case review with a partner, not an assistant
- Courts we appear in: Brampton (Peel) and courts across the GTA
- Legal Aid Ontario certificates accepted
Criminal Case Evaluation
Complete the form below and one of our legal professionals will contact you shortly.
Cannabis Rules Adults Often Get Wrong
Activity | Legal for adults? | When it becomes an offence |
|---|---|---|
Possessing cannabis in public | Yes, up to 30 grams of dried cannabis or its equivalent | Carrying more than the limit |
Sharing with another adult | Yes, within the 30-gram limit | Sharing more, or sharing with a young person |
Selling | Only through licensed retailers | Any unlicensed sale, even to friends |
Growing at home | Yes, up to four plants per household in Ontario | Growing more than the limit |
Supplying young people | No | Giving or selling to anyone under 18 is a serious federal offence |
Not listed?
Call us. A partner will tell you honestly whether we can help at your court location.
Selling or Distributing Without a Licence
Under the Cannabis Act, selling cannabis without a licence is a crime, regardless of the amount or how small the profit. Selling small amounts to friends in residence or through social media can lead to charges that carry possible jail sentences on indictment. Police often rely on messages, payment app records and undercover purchases. We test how police connected the messages and payments to you and whether the evidence shows a sale rather than sharing.
Supplying Cannabis to Young People
The Cannabis Act treats giving or selling cannabis to anyone under 18 very seriously, with maximum penalties of up to 14 years. In Ontario, the legal age is 19, and providing cannabis to someone aged 18 can also lead to provincial charges. On a campus with many first-year students under 19, a casual offer at a party can have major consequences. We look closely at what the accused knew about the other person’s age and what actually changed hands.
Possession Over the Limit and Illegal Sources
Carrying more than 30 grams of dried cannabis in public, or possessing cannabis you know came from an illegal source, can lead to charges. Smaller cases may be dealt with by ticket, while larger ones are prosecuted. Quantity alone can also lead police to allege an intent to distribute. We review how the cannabis was weighed and measured, whether amounts were converted correctly from other forms such as edibles, and whether it was for personal use.
Wherever you were charged, start with one call
A partner will tell you honestly how we can help with your court location.
Criminal Case Evaluation
Complete the form below and one of our legal professionals will contact you shortly.
Assault and domestic assault
Impaired driving, including cannabis-impaired driving
Drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
Theft and bail hearings
- Downtown Guelph
- The University of Guelph area
- Stone Road
- the South End
- Exhibition Park
- The Ward
- Plus Fergus
- Elora
- Rockwood
- Puslinch
What we offer
Why it matters in Guelph
Cannabis law knowledge
We know where legal use ends and where the Cannabis Act’s criminal offences begin
Student-friendly approach
We plan around classes, exams and residence rules
Guelph courthouse experience
We attend 74 Woolwich Street for trials and key hearings
Record and travel advice
We explain how a cannabis outcome could affect future jobs and border crossings
The lawyers who will handle your case
Charnpreet Saini
Lawyer & Partner
As a founding partner at Provident Law LLP, Preet focuses on Criminal Defence law.
Armandeep Gill
Lawyer & Partner
As a founding partner at Provident Law LLP, Arman practices in the Criminal Defence Law.
Guelph Criminal Lawyer FAQs
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You can legally share up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent, with another adult who is of legal age, without payment. Sharing with someone under 18 is a serious federal offence, and sharing with someone under 19 can breach Ontario law. University residence rules may also ban cannabis entirely. If anything is exchanged for money, it may be treated as an unlicensed sale.
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Under Ontario law, cannabis in a vehicle must be in its original sealed packaging or packed so that no one in the vehicle can easily reach it. Breaking that rule is a provincial offence, not a crime. Driving while impaired by cannabis, or with a THC blood level over the legal limit, is a separate criminal offence with much heavier consequences.
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Indictable or summary convictions under the Cannabis Act create a criminal record, just like other federal offences. Ticketed offences for small amounts are handled differently. A record can affect jobs, travel and immigration, and the United States may still treat cannabis offences very seriously at the border. That is why we push for withdrawals, diversion or other non-conviction outcomes.
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Adults in Ontario can grow up to four cannabis plants per household, not per person, from legal seeds or seedlings. Growing more than that, growing for someone else or selling what you grow can lead to charges. Landlords and condominium rules may also restrict growing. If police found plants at your home, the count and who lives there will matter to the defence.
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Under the Cannabis Act, it is an offence to possess cannabis that you know came from an illegal source, even in small amounts. In practice, enforcement usually focuses on sellers rather than buyers, but buyers can still be charged. If you are unsure whether a store was licensed, Ontario's legal online retailer and authorized stores are the safe options. If charged, we review what you knew about the source.
Speak With a Guelph Criminal Defence Lawyer
Call (647) 254-9617, 24/7, or book a free case review. Learn more about our team.