A Federal Government Update Related to Public Substance Use in BC

May 10, 2024

BCCDC would like to update harm reduction, THN and FORB sites about the Federal Government’s update related to public substance use in BC.

• The Federal Government approved the Province of BC’s request to change the federal exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• It is illegal to use or possess illicit drugs in all public spaces.
• The new change allows possession of some illicit drugs under the 2.5g threshold for personal use only in these places: in private homes, shelters, and outpatient addiction, overdose prevention and drug-checking services locations.
• These changes came into effect immediately.

More information can be found here: 

• Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C. - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)

• https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/05/personal-possession-of-small-amounts-of-certain-illegal-drugs-in-british-columbia.html