Federal Exemption Granted – Drug Decriminalization in BC – Cannabis News, Lifestyle

To reduce the stigma of drug use, BC decriminalizes personal possession. In November 2021, the province made a formal request to the federal government, requesting an exemption from certain articles of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The request was recently approved. From January 31, 2023 to 2026, you can possess up to 2.5 grams of any hard drug without criminal penalties.

Shame + isolation = death

Why Decriminalize All Illegal Substances? Simply to save lives. The overdose death rate in BC continues to skyrocket and is statistically alarming.

• From January to March 2022, there were 548 drug-related deaths in BC.
• Statistics show that most drug-related deaths occur in private homes. 314 of the 548 deaths that year occurred in a home.

“Stigma drives people to hide their drug use, avoid medical care and use alone,” said Secretary of State for Mental Health and Addiction Sheila Malcolmson. “Through provincial decriminalization, we can reduce the fear and shame that drive people to remain silent about their drug use and empower people to seek help, lifesaving support and treatment.”

Sheila Malcolmson, Secretary of State for Mental Health and Addiction – Image courtesy of The Tyee

A way to hope

“The decriminalization of drug possession is a historic, bold and groundbreaking step in the fight to save lives from the toxic drug crisis.” – Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stuart

The war on drugs has claimed many lives and created a culture of shame about drug use. It’s time for a new approach, harm reduction. The province, set to serve as a roadmap for better mental health and addiction care, has passed a new policy; they call it “A Way to Hope.” According to the province’s website, decriminalizing illicit drugs is “an additional tool the federal government is providing to BC to address drug harm, reduce stigma, and prevent overdose deaths.”

Click here to read the full document – A Pathway to Hope: A roadmap to better mental health and addiction care for people in British Columbia

What will this policy change look like?

It is important to note that this exemption does not mean legalization. Trafficking and stockpiling of large quantities of illegal drugs continue to be criminalized. However, if you are caught with 2.5 grams or less of a drug, you will not be arrested or charged. You may keep your stash. Police officers will be on site to provide information on community resources and health support. In addition, the police can issue referrals for these services upon request.

For more information on these upcoming changes, click here to read the Personal Possession Fact Sheet.

Is that enough?

Decriminalizing personal drug possession is a big step in the right direction, but some critics say it’s not enough. There is concern that this policy change fails to address the high tolerance level of a heavy drug user. Originally, the province called for a drug limit of 4.5 grams. However, the exemption was granted for two grams less. The question is why? According to the federal government, the drug threshold was lowered due to input from local law enforcement agencies. The British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police said the average amount of hard drugs seized across departments varies from:

• an average of 1.9 grams for the Vancouver and Abbotsford Police Departments
• 1.6 grams for the Victoria Police Department
• 1.3 grams for the RCMP North District

When this concern was raised with the Secretary of State for Mental Health and Addiction, Carolyn Bennet responded that the threshold was a starting point; it can be adjusted if necessary.

For more information, click here to read that BC decriminalizes drugs…but why?

footnote(s)

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/statistical/illicit-drug.pdf
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022MMHA0029-000850
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/toxic-drug-measures-1.6232746
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021MMHA0017-000706
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/drugs-health-products/fact-sheet-exemption-personal-possession-small-amounts-certain-illegal-drugs-british-columbia. html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/drug-decrim-threshold-1.6477327
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BCMentalHealthRoadmap_2019.pdf