A Canadian province is set to decriminalise a number of illegal drugs in a three-year trial starting next year.
From 31 January 2023, adults in British Columbia will not be arrested if found in possession of up to 2.5g of illegal drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy. The trial does not cover schools, airports or the military. Cannabis was legalised across the country in 2018 for adults.
Dr Theresa Tam, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, claimed the illegality of drugs increases the “risk of harm”.
‘Time bomb’
But researchers and medical professionals have warned that the legalisation of cannabis in the US is increasing psychosis. Currently, cannabis is legal for recreational use in 19 US states and Washington DC.
Dr Beatriz Carlini, of the University of Washington’s Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, called the issue a “time bomb”. Although she does not oppose legalisation in principle, she is concerned about the increasing potency of the drug with levels of the addictive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can be as high as 90 per cent.
Libby Stuyt, an addiction psychiatrist, said that “medical marijuana is a Trojan horse to get recreational in”, and warned that high-potency cannabis was damaging users’ mental health.
medical marijuana is a Trojan horse to get recreational in
London Mayor
Last month, The Mayor of London came under fire for trying to influence the Government to decriminalise cannabis.
Sadiq Khan launched the London Drugs Commission to assess the UK’s drugs laws, with a focus on whether to decriminalise the possession and consumption of the Class B drug.
Although he is not permitted to enact such changes himself, Khan intends to use the Commission’s report to influence future Government policy.
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