B.C. to end drug decriminalization pilot as province shifts focus to treatment and recovery

British Columbia will allow its three-year drug decriminalization pilot project to expire at the end of this month, with the provincial government confirming it will not seek an extension from Health Canada.

Health Minister Josie Osborne said the pilot, which was launched to encourage people to seek help without fear of criminal penalties, did not produce the outcomes the province had hoped for. The exemption from the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act is scheduled to end on Jan. 31.

The decriminalization initiative began in January 2023 and permitted adults to possess up to 2.5 grams of certain illegal drugs for personal use, including opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA. In 2024, the province scaled back the policy, limiting possession to private residences, designated health-care settings, and approved overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites.

Osborne said the province will now concentrate on approaches it believes are more effective, including expanded mental health and addictions services. She pointed to ongoing investments in prevention, treatment, recovery, harm reduction and aftercare as part of what the government describes as a more comprehensive system of care.

The decision comes as British Columbia continues to face a long-running toxic drug crisis, with communities across the province, including Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, reporting ongoing overdose deaths and pressure on emergency and social services. Advocacy groups and opposition critics have argued that changes to drug policy should be paired with increased access to treatment and housing to reduce harm.