Canada is taking a huge next step toward drug safety. This week, the province of British Columbia received approval from Canada’s federal government to proceed with a three-year experiment in decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of drugs. This legislation comes after local research connected record numbers of overdoses to fear of arrest by folks in need of medical care or sobriety resources.
The new policy, which goes into effect in January 2023, doesn’t legalize drugs, but it does mean people over the age of 18 will be legally allowed to carry up to 2.5 grams of certain substances without being subjected to arrest, confiscation, or fines. The three-year test will cover substances such as opioids, cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine.
