Hi,
i live in europe and have just been sentenced for possession of hashish. i am currently in house arrests. it is actually even worse than that as i was caught in the airport arriving from the East with the drug in my bag. it was quite a large quantity, though it was supposed to be exclusively for my own consumption.
i am almost 50 and it was the only mistake i ever made, i have attenuating circumstances which the judge considered but still i had to be convicted. i am financially indipendent and my money can be traced legally.

i was wandering:
1. what are my chances of going to america/canada/australia on a tourist visa, with or without invitation. should i be forthcoming in my application
2. about the possibility to transit in America (without leaving the airport) if i go to South America and my flight schedule requires it
3. the possibility to come to america in order to be operated on a bad leg injury.

if the answers are negative, is this a life condition or there are chances that i could be admitted at a later date? meaning does my criminal status decay if i don't commit other felonies for say, a period of 5 years?
is there any way to overcome this? ie. getting the help of an immigration lawyer ?