(Ottawa) More than 20 advocacy organizations are urging the federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions not to impose quantity limits on jurisdictions seeking to decriminalize simple drug possession.
Posted at 1:48 p.m.
Legal and health organizations are calling on Carolyn Bennett to drop the need for jurisdictions to set thresholds in requests for exemption from criminal penalties for those who carry small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use.
The coalition, which includes the HIV Legal Network and the BC Center on Substance Use, argues that if thresholds are set too low, drug users who buy over the limit will continue to be criminalized, especially people of color. and low income.
She adds that if the government insists on setting quantity limits, it should do so by focusing on the experiences of people who use drugs.
To date, British Columbia, Toronto and Vancouver have applied to Ottawa for exemptions under section 56 of the Drugs and Substances Control Actwhich would decriminalize possession of small amounts of substances like cocaine, heroin and fentanyl.
M’s officeme Bennett responded in a statement that each waiver request is carefully considered on a case-by-case basis, but he cannot comment on requests under review.
This article was produced with the financial support of the Facebook and The Canadian Press News Fellowships.