Health Canada Agrees to Discuss Decriminalization of Simple Drug Possession, Vancouver Mayor Says

Health Canada Agrees to Discuss Decriminalization of Simple Drug Possession, Vancouver Mayor Says
Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart speak to the media during a visit to the Molson Overdose Prevention Site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside on Jan. 16, 2020. Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
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Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says Health Canada has agreed to start formal discussions on the city’s plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.

The confirmation from federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu came in response to the city council voting in November to ask Ottawa to decriminalize simple possession of all illicit drugs for personal use.