What constitutes possession of a controlled substance?

Possession of a controlled substance is defined primarily by the physical control of the substance. This means that for someone to be legally considered in possession, they must have the controlled substance in their immediate physical control or under their direct personal access. It involves having the ability to exercise control over the substance, whether that means holding it or having it readily available in a location that they manage or oversee.

This definition emphasizes the idea that mere awareness of a drug's presence or being in a location where drugs are located does not constitute possession. Additionally, transferring drugs to someone else does not pertain to possession in the way that physically holding or controlling it does. Understanding this concept is crucial for law enforcement and legal professionals, as it helps delineate what circumstances legally qualify as possession under the law.