Opinion ID: 605695
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Possession of a Controlled Substance

Text: 8 One of the reasons given by the district court for revoking Almand's supervised release was that his urine tested positive for marijuana and cocaine. The government claims that this was sufficient to terminate Almand's supervised release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3583(g). Appellant argues that the fact that the urinalysis showed that Almand used the drugs does not necessarily mean that he was in possession of the drugs in violation of § 3583(g). United States v. Blackston, 940 F.2d 877, 883-91 (3d Cir.1991). In particular, Almand asserts that the district court erroneously believed that use must equal possession. In contrast, the government argues that even assuming arguendo that the district court did believe that use must equal possession, there would be no error because use does equal possession for the purposes of § 3583(g). 9 Upon an examination of the record, we conclude that there is no indication that the district court believed it was required to equate use with possession. The district court reviewed the evidence and exercised its factfinding power. The court determined that Almand was in violation of the terms of his supervised release. A district court's findings of fact are binding on this court unless clearly erroneous. United States v. Granderson, 969 F.2d 980, 982 (11th Cir.1992), citing United States v. Forbes, 888 F.2d 752, 754 (11th Cir.1989). Moreover, the Sentencing Commission left to the district court the determination of whether evidence of drug usage established solely by laboratory analysis constitutes 'possession of a controlled substance' as set forth in 18 U.S.C. §§ 3565(a) and 3583(g). U.S.S.G. § 7B1.4, application note 5. 5 We have no reason to question the validity of the district court's finding and thus affirm the district court's revocation of the supervised release. 6 10 AFFIRMED.