Canadian Province to Decriminalize Deadly Drugs, Including Cocaine, Heroin – By Stephanie Samsel (CNS News) / June 3, 2022
(CNS News) — Canada’s government announced on Tuesday that it will temporarily decriminalize possession of small amounts of numerous illegal drugs in British Columbia, including fentanyl, which it declared a public health crisis in 2016.
British Columbia will be the first Canadian province or territory to have a drug decriminalization law.
The legislation allows British Columbians 18 and older to carry up to 2.5 grams of “opioids including heroin and fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA” without being arrested or facing criminal charges, Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail reports.
The temporary decriminalization will take effect on January 31, 2023 and last for three years, unless it is revoked or replaced.
