B.C. ends drug decriminalization pilot, won’t renew federal exemption
British Columbia will end its three-year pilot that decriminalized personal possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. The province will not seek a renewal of the federal exemption that allowed the program.
Health Minister Josie Osborne announced the decision Wednesday in Victoria. She said the pilot aimed to reduce stigma and make it easier for people to seek help. She added the program did not deliver the results the province hoped to see.
The exemption, granted by Health Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, allowed adults to possess up to 2.5 grams total of certain drugs. It covered opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. The exemption took effect on Jan. 31, 2023, and expires at the end of this month.
What the pilot was designed to do
When the pilot launched, provincial and federal officials argued decriminalization could shift drug use from a justice issue to a health issue. They said it could reduce stigma, encourage people to access services, and help prevent deaths.
However, critics later said officials oversold what decriminalization could achieve on its own. Some observers warned that expectations set the program up for backlash.
Public drug use complaints reshaped the debate
After the pilot began, complaints grew about public drug use and street disorder. Police said the policy limited enforcement options, especially early on, because it placed few restrictions on where people could consume drugs.
The B.C. Conservatives highlighted reports of paraphernalia found in parks, beaches, and playgrounds. Other jurisdictions watched closely. Toronto sought a similar exemption but did not receive one as criticism of B.C.’s pilot increased. Alberta also pointed to B.C.’s experience while taking a more treatment-focused approach.
B.C. later tightened the rules multiple times. The most recent changes largely limited permitted possession to private residences and some shelters.
Osborne cites limited measurable impact
Osborne faced repeated questions about what outcomes fell short. She said the province did not see major increases in self-referrals to care or expanded use of certain services. She also pointed to gaps in public understanding that would support the policy’s goals.
The province plans to compile a final report using data submitted to Health Canada. Osborne also acknowledged that public safety concerns influenced the decision.
Evidence and expert views remain mixed
Outside assessments of the pilot have differed. One peer-reviewed study published in 2025 reported fewer police-reported drug possession incidents after decriminalization. However, it did not find evidence that decriminalization alone reduced overdose harms.
Some researchers and advocates argue that critique misunderstands the policy’s scope. SFU professor Kora DeBeck said decriminalization is a limited intervention. She said it mainly reduces harms linked to criminalization and police interactions. She also argued that goals like boosting treatment entry were overstated without supports like housing and services.
Provincial health officer disappointed by decision
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said she felt disappointed but not surprised. She has supported decriminalization for years and described it as sound policy. However, she said implementation became politically charged and hard to communicate.
Henry said the policy aimed to reduce cycles of criminalization linked to addiction. She added that benefits like service referrals can be difficult to measure. She also noted the program arrived during a period of intense public concern about safety.
What happens next
With the exemption ending, B.C. will return to the previous legal framework for personal possession. The province says it will continue working on broader responses to addiction and the toxic drug supply.
The debate now shifts to what replaces the pilot. Critics want clearer enforcement and public-order tools. Supporters want stronger health and housing supports, plus safer supply options. Both sides agree the crisis continues.
