Canada will decriminalise MDMA, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids for a three year trial period in the British Columbia province. The decriminalisation trial comes after there were more than 2000 deaths from overdoses in the region over the last year - a stark reminder of the dangers that come with drug use.
Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister of mental health and addictions, said that the decision was made due to failure in the government's current regulations and stance on 'party' drugs.
Rather than being arrested, charged, or having their drugs taken off them, people caught with up to a combined 2.5 grams of the aforementioned drugs will be provided with information on drug safety and any available health and social services. Mayor of Vancouver Kennedy Stewart says that this will change the way drugs are percieved at the legal level in Canada.
Hopefully, this can be a step in the right direction globally so that people who are doing gear can have a safer relationship with the stuff. The trial will begin at the end of January next year and end at the end of January 2026.
