Canadian government to decriminalise Cocaine & MDMA possession

The government of British Columbia will decriminalise small amounts of illegal substances for personal use as part of a pilot scheme. 

Canadians aged 18 and above will be permitted to possess up to 2.5g of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA in hopes of curbing the raging opioid crisis in North America and Canada. 

The BC government recently released a statement giving a three-year exemption from Canada’s federal drug control law, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The concentrated pilot scheme aims to gather evidence around small scale decriminalisation in tackling problematic drug use. It means that no arrests, prosecutions, or seizures will be made for personal possession of fewer than 2.5g between January 31, 2023 and January 31, 2026.

The exemption, according to Health Canada, does not decriminalise actions such as drug trafficking, production, importation, or exportation of illegal substances. It is also not applicable at primary or secondary schools, child-care institutions, or airports. It also does not apply to Canadians who are subject to the disciplinary code of the military.

For more information, check out this in-depth article from local news outlet CBC.