In Canada, the legalization of non-medical cannabis use in 2017 marked an important development in national drug policy. However, many substances are still regulated within a criminal framework, effectively limiting the availability of a diverse range of harm reduction and other substance use programs and services (CDPC & HIV/AIDS Legal Network, 2016). Both in Canada and globally, the criminalization of people who use drugs has exacerbated substance use stigma and increased the health risks associated with substance use. (Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2019) This section outlines the current state of substance use policy in Canada and explores alternative approaches that reject substance use criminalization, including decriminalization and legalization.
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