Understanding
Drug Cultivation Offences
Drug cultivation is not limited to large-scale operations. You can be charged even for cultivating a small number of prohibited plants. The law also applies to those who assist in the process, such as by watering, harvesting, or supplying equipment or premises.
Key Points:
- The prosecution must prove that you cultivated or assisted in cultivating a prohibited plant listed under NSW law.
- Defences may include lack of knowledge, duress, or that the plant was not prohibited.
- Penalties can vary greatly depending on the number of plants and intent (personal use vs. supply).
Facing a drug cultivation charge? Contact Brightstone Defence Criminal Lawyers for strategic legal advice tailored to your case.
Drug cultivation is contained in section 23 of the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 as cultivating or assisting to cultivate illegal plants such as cannabis, or being involved in any part of the process, planting, watering, harvesting, or even supplying the equipment or space.
You don’t have to run a large scale cultivation crop to be charged, even a few plants in a backyard or hydroponic setup can be considered cultivation under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985.
检方必须证明的要素
To convict someone of drug cultivation, prosecutors need to show that:
- You cultivated, or took part in cultivating, a prohibited plant
- The plant is listed as a prohibited plant under NSW law
可能的防御
Defences that may apply in drug cultivation cases include:
- Lack of knowledge – you genuinely didn’t know the plant was there or what it was
- Duress – you were forced or threatened into helping cultivate the plant(s)
- No prohibited plant involved – the plant wasn’t illegal under NSW law
Accurate legal advice is key, because every case possesses unique facts.
潜在的处罚
The penalty depends on how many plants are involved and whether it's for personal use or supply:
- For small amounts, the maximum penalty is 12 months imprisonment
- For more larger amounts, maximum penalty for cultivating cannabis in NSW is between 15 years and life imprisonment
- You could also face asset seizure, a criminal record, and limited future travel or work options
Even a few plants can land you in serious legal trouble.
法律程序
& 选项
If charged, your matter may proceed through the Local or District Court, depending on the seriousness of the offence. The process involves police investigations, court attendance, and potential sentencing or trial.
恳求
无罪
If you decide to contest the charge, Brightstone Defence will build a customised defence strategy which may involve:
- Arguing that you were unaware of the plant’s presence or identity
- Raising defences such as duress or lack of knowledge
- Challenging the prosecution’s evidence and legal process errors
We will thoroughly assess your case, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and fight for the best possible outcome.
恳求
有罪
If you choose to plead guilty, your matter will proceed directly to sentencing. Entering an early guilty plea may:
- Reduce legal costs and overall penalties
- Demonstrate remorse, which may result in a more lenient sentence
- Improve your chances of receiving a Section 10 dismissal or Conditional Release Order (CRO), helping you avoid a criminal record
Before entering a plea, speak with one of our experienced criminal lawyers to understand your legal position and future risks.
- 不，它也可以包括生产过程中的任何步骤，例如：
- 混合前体
- 组装实验室设备
- 准备成分并意图制造禁止物质
- 不，即使在小规模上也是非法的。
无论规模或数量如何，根据《1985年新南威尔士州毒品滥用和贩运法》第24(1)条，这都是一项刑事罪行。
当然。检察官需要证明存在生产禁止毒品的意图。仅仅拥有某些化学品或工具而没有意图可能不符合制造的法律定义。然而，拥有强大的法律支持以帮助区分您的参与至关重要。
法律上，制造禁止毒品通常指被包括在生产中。这可以包括，例如：
- 去朋友家帮助他操作药丸机
- 购买家庭套件并在家自制MDMA
供应意图可以从以下证据推断：
- 安排交易的短信
- 拥有可密封袋或秤
- 大量无法解释的现金
- 在一个知名的毒品分发区域
法院会考虑以下因素：
- 罪行的情况
- 犯罪者的犯罪历史和品格
- 减轻因素（《1999年犯罪（判决程序）法》第21A条）
初犯者很少被监禁。替代判决可以包括：
- 罚款
- 社区释放令
- 社区瞫正令
初犯者可以通过以下方式避免定罪：
- 参加毒品法院项目
- 追求康复
- 获得第10条
- 提交道歉信
- 提供品格推荐信
前体物质是用于制造新南威尔士州禁止毒品的材料。
新南威尔士州法律限制未经授权拥有某些前体，例如伪麻黄碱，如果意图用于毒品制造。
- 供应涉及分发的证据或分发禁止毒品的意图
- 被视为供应适用于当某人被发现拥有超过可贩运数量的毒品时
- 在这种情况下，法律推定供应意图，即使没有直接证据
是的。根据《1985年毒品滥用和贩运法》第29条，如果您被发现拥有超过可贩运数量的毒品，法律会推定供应意图，除非另有证明。
是的。对于小量（15到30克干燥大麻），新南威尔士州警察可以发出大麻警告。
《大麻警告计划》：
- 自2000年以来一直实施
- 由新南威尔士州警察部队运营
- 在1999年新南威尔士州毒品峰会后制定
警察有酸量权发出警告，鼓励法律意识和健康支持。
对于更严重的罪行，请立即寻求法律建议。
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