Canadian provinces are experimenting with legalizing drugs

The Canadian province of British Columbia is starting the first phase in the country to legalize small amounts of illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroin.

From Tuesday, adults can possess up to 2.5g of such drugs, including methamphetamine, fentanyl and morphine.

The federal government of Canada accepted the west coast region's request to conduct a three-year trial.

It follows a similar policy in the nearby US state of Oregon, which legalized such drugs in 2020.

Before the trial began, British Columbia and federal officials introduced the law under a state-approved exemption from the Controlled Substances and Substances Act.

Although the drugs will remain illegal, adults caught with less than 2.5g of the drugs combined will not be arrested, charged or convicted. Instead, they will be given information about the health and social services available.

Federal Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett on Monday called the move "a major change in drug policy that favors fostering relationships of trust and supporting health and social services rather than more crime".

About 10,000 residents have died from drug use since British Columbia declared drugs a public health emergency in 2016, officials said.

"Decriminalizing people who use drugs removes the fear and shame associated with drug use and ensures they feel safer accessing life-saving help," said Jennifer Whiteside, British Columbia's minister of mental health and addictions.

Thousands of police officers in the province have been trained on the law changes, including those in Vancouver, the province's largest city.