On May 7, 2024, the Federal Government announced that they have approved the Province of B.C.’s request to exempt public spaces from B.C.’s decriminalization policy, effective immediately. Law enforcement now has the authority to seize illegal drugs possessed in public, in any amount, and make an arrest. Guidance for police will stress that officers must consider whether it would be preferable to take no further action, to warn the individual, or with consent of the individual to refer them to services, when dealing with an alleged possession offence, especially when the alleged possession offence does not pose a risk to others in the community.
The federal government approved an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to allow for the removal of criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of some illicit substances for personal use by people over 18 years old within British Columbia. This exemption is effective starting January 31, 2023 until January 31, 2026. The purpose of the exemption is to reduce the stigma associated with substance use and support people in accessing important health and social services. Since decriminalization came into effect in BC, some local governments have expressed interest in understanding the potential impacts of decriminalization on public substance use as they consider the needs of their communities.
The Harm Reduction Client Survey includes questions related to the decriminalization from 2022 (pre-implementation) to 2025.
Find results from the Harm Reduction Client Survey.
Find more information and publications about decriminalization in BC
Drug decriminalization in British Columbia: A pre-implementation qualitative study with people who use drugs (PDF) (September 2023)
