British Columbia on drug decriminalization

In British Columbia, outside of Vancouver, possession of LSD is illegal. However, for three years after January 31, 2023, possession of up to 2.5g of some other drugs will no longer be a criminal offense in the Canadian province. A waiver has been granted in British Columbia that decriminalizes certain drugs such as opiates, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA.

The exemption was announced by Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addiction and Deputy Health Secretary Carolyn Bennett. Legislation allowing it to authorize the decriminalization of drugs in BC follows Section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).

Overdose victims trapped in a perception of crime

Humans and animals naturally seek out mind-altering substances. They nourish our spiritual well-being when consumed properly. Of course, some drugs are a harmful hook that enters struggling individuals. Remember that each hook has a different story and only so many have been placed there voluntarily. In any case, society sadly perceives those with an addictive hook in their habits as criminals.

At least that’s a popular idea instilled in populace around the world. However, during World War II, methamphetamine was legal. While today doctors are persistently prescribing its less active enantiomer to children. So, ultimately, was the criminalization of substances and their users about public health—or about population control?

Eliminating criminal penalties for those who carry small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use will reduce stigma and harm, and provide British Columbia with another tool to end the overdose crisis.

Carolyn Bennett
Carolyn Bennett. Courtesy of UofT.

Heroin versus hashish

Nationwide, Canada’s cannabis law restricts the possession of cannabis and extracts. While twenty-nine grams of cannabis or more is considered a criminal offense. A person can only legally possess up to seven grams of cannabis extracts.

In comparison to the laws set forth in Bill C45, British Columbia’s Drug Decriminalization Exception allows personal possession of up to two and a half grams of heroin and other substances. Additionally, possession of any amount of cannabis from an unlicensed source is a criminal offense unless it is a home-grown gift.

How many doses of fentanyl are decriminalized?

Two to three milligrams is a lethal dose of fentanyl. That means the exemption also decriminalizes about 1,000 lethal doses of the powerful opiate.

Meanwhile, edibles are still limited to 10mg of THC per pack, although the potential for a lethal dose is completely absent. And six THC-containing drinks was a suggested upper limit. In other words, possession of as little as 70mg of THC emulsified in water is criminal in Canada. On the other hand, possession of 2500 mg of fentanyl from any source is fine for at least three years after January 31, 2023.

Adaptation of the judiciary without legalization

Cocaine, methamphetamine, opiates and MDMA remain illegal during the lockdown period. Adults who possess up to 2.5 grams of the substances will no longer be arrested, charged or have their drugs confiscated.

Addiction and drug use is a health problem, not a crime. So there is a cycle of punishment for small-scale drug possession. To correct the ongoing degradation of individuals, this cycle must be broken and treatment options reconsidered. Accordingly, since 2017, BC has invested $800 million to solve this problem and filed a lawsuit against the opiate companies in 2018. But is their intention pure?

Let us know in the comments if you think any investment in solving the opiate epidemic should go directly to the drug companies. And check out this story on the road to legal psychedelics.

footnote(s)

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022MMHA0029-000850#:~:text=BC%20is%20the%20first%20province, owning%20%20certain%20illegal%20drugs