(B)  Inadmissibility Only.  The only waiver under INA § 212, 8 U.S.C. § 1182 generally available to noncitizens (including lawful permanent residents) inadmissible for a drug offense is a waiver under INA § 212(h).  This relief is only available to waive a first time simple possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana.  The noncitizen has the burden to prove the offense involved less than 30 grams.  This waiver does not waive drug abuse/addiction. 

 

                 There is also a special waiver of the drug abuse/addiction ground of inadmissibility for juveniles who apply for special immigrant status.[122]

[122] INA § 245(h)(2)(B), 8 U.S.C. § 1255(h)(2)(B).  See § 15.47, supra.  For more information, see Special Immigrant Status for Children in Foster Care (ILRC 1663 Mission Street, Suite 602, San Francisco, CA 94103).

BIA

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES - RELIEF - PAULUS DEFENSE INAPPLICABLE
Matter of Martinez-Espinoza, 25 I. & N. Dec. 118 (BIA Nov. 4, 2009) (unidentified substance defense under Ruiz-Vidal v. Gonzales, 473 F.3d 1072 (9th Cir. 2007); Matter of Paulus, 11 I&N Dec. 274 (BIA 1965), inapplicable where burden is on noncitizen to show not ineligible for relief by a preponderance of the evidence). NOTE: This may not be true in the Ninth Circuit. See Sandoval-Lua v. Gonzales, 499 F.3d 1121, 1124 (9th Cir. 2007).