A Possession of a Narcotics charge regardless of whether the drug was pot, coke, or mushrooms will stay on your criminal record forever unless you obtain a Pardon.
The same is true with a Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking criminal charge. The difference is that in order to obtain a Pardon for this charge you must stay out of trouble for 5 years from the end of your punishment as opposed to 3 years for a simple possession charge.
Most people who call us to get their criminal charge removed with a Canada Pardon have already been out of trouble for the required time period. However, even if you are still within the “trouble free” time horizon, its a good idea to start the application early as it takes time to collect, prepare and file all the important documents to obtain a Canada Pardon.
Even if the Possession charge has been dismissed, withdrawn, stayed or absolute or conditional discharge, it is important to obtain a file destruction so that there is no future sign of it when a criminal background check is done.
This is especially true if you plan to travel to the US. The US has a zero tolerance when it comes to narcotics charges, no matter how small and how long ago the charges were.
Each week we get over one hundred calls from people who have been turned away at the US border because of an old criminal record.
If you have been already turned away at the US border because of a criminal record you will require a US Entry Waiver or I-194 to return to the US.
The US Entry Waiver application is complicated and takes time to complete but if you have been out of trouble for enough time, it will be easy for us to help you obtain it.
If you have not been denied entry to the US but have an old possession or trafficking charge, you should get a Pardon and then you may possible not require a US Entry Waiver, though each case is unique.
If you have any questions regarding this topic or about Pardons and US Entry Waivers email us at info@pardons.org or call 1-877-929-6011.
