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SFU study finds rise in reported police drug seizures in first year of B.C. decriminalization pilot

The study reports an increase in police drug seizures in Vancouver during the first year of British Columbia's decriminalization pilot project, according to Simon Fraser University.

Vancouver, BC

By Leah Brooks Justice & Courts Published Written up 1 source 1 min read
Police Dodge Charger cruiser on a residential street
Library photo Police Dodge Charger cruiser on a residential street. Does not depict this event. Bull-Doser / Public domain. Resized; may be cropped for display. Photo source Photo licence

People in Vancouver experienced an increase in police drug seizures during the first year of British Columbia's drug decriminalization pilot project, according to a Simon Fraser University study published by the university on Sept. 9, 2026.1

During the pilot, police in B.C. were not meant to arrest or charge people for possessing drugs for personal consumption, a threshold the study defines as 2.5 grams, according to the university.1

Kanna Hayashi, a co-author of the study, says one of the goals of decriminalization was to reduce interaction between the police and people who use drugs, according to the university.1

Prepared with reporting tools under our editorial standards. Our editorial approach.

Sources

  1. Reports of drug seizures by police rose during first year of decriminalization, SFU study finds​ · Simon Fraser University

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