Stratcann report
Canada has seen a decline in drug crime over the past decade, with much of that decline attributed to the legalization of cannabis in 2018.
New figures from Statistics Canada show that after reaching a historic peak in 2011, police-reported drug crime has generally declined, driven in recent years by a decrease in cannabis offences.
The rate of drug crime in Canada in 2024 was 31% lower than in 2019, the first full year of data following the legalization of non-medical cannabis.
As anticipated, the legalization of non-medical cannabis has led to a significant shift in police-reported drug crime, which was historically dominated by cannabis offences, especially those related to cannabis possession.
Although cannabis-related arrests were already declining annually for several years before legalization in 2018, those rates predictably dropped significantly in 2019.
Highlighting this shift, in 2014, there were nearly 70,000 cannabis offences in Canada, accounting for two-thirds (66%) of all drug crime. Ten years later, cannabis offences accounted for just 17% of all drug crime.
While cannabis offences are still a factor in Canada’s overall reported crime rate, the focus has now shifted to issues relating to the illicit cannabis industry rather than personal offences.
In 2024, for example, the majority of cannabis offences under the Cannabis Act were most related to importation and exportation (66%), while just 13% were related to possession, 7% to distribution, 7% to sale, 3% to production, and 4% to other cannabis-related crimes. There were just 22 cannabis offences per 100,000 population in 2024, down 89% from 194 offences in 2014.
However, following 12 consecutive years of decline, the rate of police-reported drug crime increased 13% from 2023 to 2024. The year-over-year increase since 2023 was the result of more incidents for most types of drug crime, which was led by cannabis with 2,272 more incidents, followed by cocaine (+1,462) and non-heroin opioid (+1,105) offences.
Despite this increase in police-reported drug crime from 2023 to 2024, the long-term trend continues to decline. Although these declines were largely attributable to cannabis legalization, Statistics Canada also notes that the rate for cocaine offences was 23% lower in 2024 than it was in 2014. The rate for non-heroin opioid offences peaked in 2021 (16 incidents per 100,000 population), and by 2024, the rate declined to 13 incidents per 100,000 population.
Source:
Cannabis legalization drives significant decline in Canadian drug crime
THE DETAIL
Insights on Canadian Society
Trends in police-reported drug crime in Canada
Text begins
Overview of the study
Using data from the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, this article examines police-reported drug offences in Canada over time.
- After 12 consecutive years of decline, the rate of police-reported drug crime increased in 2024 to 128 incidents per 100,000 population but remained well below its historic peak (330 incidents per 100,000 population in 2011). The legalization of non-medical cannabis and shifts in police practices and enforcement have contributed to these changes.
- Contrary to the long-term drug crime trend, the rate of drug crime increased 13% from 2023 to 2024. The year-over-year increase was the result of more incidents for most types of drug crime, led by cannabis (+2,272 incidents), cocaine (+1,462) and non-heroin opioid (+1,105) offences. The largest increases were noted for possession (+3,435 incidents), trafficking (+1,113), and importation and exportation (+1,060) offences.
- In 2014, possession offences accounted for 75% of all drug crime. By 2024, the proportion had dropped to 42% as offences related to trafficking, importation and exportation, production and other offences accounted for a larger proportion.
Introduction
Drugs and problematic substance use are ongoing health and societal concerns in Canada, and such concerns may be exacerbated because of associations with crime, victimization and threats to public safety. For instance, the supply and distribution of drugs may involve organized crime, individuals may commit crimes to acquire drugs or while under the influence of drugs, victims of crime may use drugs to cope following victimization, and recreational drug use may involve criminalized substances. Many jurisdictions in Canada have focused on health and harm reduction approaches to minimize the negative consequences associated with drugs; however, there have been recent calls for increased involvement by the criminal justice system in drug issues.
Previous analysis has focused on contact with the criminal justice system among those who experienced a drug overdose, providing insight into their socioeconomic characteristics and their levels of involvement with police.Note1 However, the most recent comprehensive analysis of drug crime in Canada is over a decade old,Note2 predating significant developments—including the legalization of non-medical cannabis in Canada in 2018 and a notable escalation of the opioid overdose crisis.Note3 Further, in recent years, there have been changes to police practices and enforcement and the guiding principles of legislation related to drug offences in Canada.Note4
This article uses data from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) SurveyNote5 to examine police-reported drug offences in Canada over time, including possession, trafficking, importation and exportation, production and other crimes. It should be noted that the data reflect incidents that were detected and reported by police services in Canada.
After reaching a historic peak in 2011, police-reported drug crime has generally declined, driven by the decrease in cannabis offences
Over 2.5 million incidents of crime were reported by police services in Canada in 2024. For a small proportion (2.1%), or 53,002 of these incidents, a drug offence—including offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and the Cannabis Act—was the most serious violation in the incident.Note6
The rate of police-reported drug crime in 2024 was 56% lower than a decade earlier, in 2014 (128 incidents per 100,000 population versus 295) (Chart 1).Note7 Further, the rate reported in 2024 remained well below the historic peak recorded in 2011 (128 incidents per 100,000 population versus 330).
Data table for Chart 1
The overall trend of decline in drug crime can be attributed, in large part, to changes to the legal status of non-medical cannabis. In 2018, non-medical cannabis was legalized in Canada, with the Cannabis Act receiving royal assent in June 2018 and coming into force in October 2018. The act created a framework to control the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis.Note8 The rate of drug crime in 2024 (128 incidents per 100,000 population) was 31% lower than in 2019 (186), the first full year of data following the legalization of non-medical cannabis.Note9
While cannabis offences—particularly possession—have historically accounted for most police-reported drug crime, there has been a notable shift following the legalization of non-medical cannabis. For instance, in 2014, there were nearly 70,000 cannabis offences in Canada, which accounted for two-thirds (66%) of all drug crime. In 2024, cannabis offences accounted for a far smaller number (8,879) and proportion (17%) of all drug crime (Table 1). In 2024, cannabis offences under the Cannabis Act were most often related to importation and exportation (66%), while smaller proportions were related to possession (13%), distribution (7%), sale (7%), production (3%) and other crimes (4%).
| Type of drug and type of violation | Number | Percent Table 1 Note 1 | Rate | Rate change from 2023 | Rate change from 2019 | Rate change from 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | ||||||
0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
Notes: Data reflect the most serious offence in the incident. In 2018, the Cannabis Act received royal assent and came into force. Rates are calculated on the basis of 100,000 population. Populations are based on July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada’s Centre for Demography. |
||||||
| Type of drug | ||||||
| Cannabis | 8,879 | 17 | 22 | 30 | -51 | -89 |
| Cannabis Act | 8,875 | 17 | 21 | 31 | -50 | …not applicable |
| Controlled Drugs and Substances Act | 4 | 0 | 0 | -76 | -99 | -100 |
| Cocaine | 14,504 | 27 | 35 | 8 | -15 | -23 |
| Heroin | 883 | 2 | 2 | -5 | -75 | -62 |
| Opioid (non-heroin) | 5,235 | 10 | 13 | 23 | 26 | …not applicable |
| Methamphetamine (crystal meth) | 8,634 | 16 | 21 | 3 | -46 | 18 |
| Methylenedioxyamphetamine (ecstasy) | 227 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -69 | -63 |
| Other Table 1 Note 2 | 14,640 | 28 | 35 | 16 | -15 | 15 |
| Total | 53,002 | 100 | 128 | 13 | -31 | -56 |
| Type of violation | ||||||
| Possession | 22,303 | 42 | 54 | 11 | -37 | -76 |
| Trafficking | 18,777 | 35 | 45 | 3 | -9 | -25 |
| Importation and exportation Table 1 Note 3 | 9,882 | 19 | 24 | 53 | -40 | 649 |
| Production | 427 | 1 | 1 | -9 | -67 | -89 |
| Other Table 1 Note 3 Table 1 Note 4 | 1,613 | 3 | 4 | 1 | -45 | 4,366 |
| Total | 53,002 | 100 | 128 | 13 | -31 | -56 |
Overall, there were 22 cannabis offences per 100,000 population in 2024, down 89% from 194 offences in 2014 (Chart 2). Therefore, the long-term decline in the overall rate of drug crime is primarily attributable to the decrease in cannabis offences after legalization.
Excluding all cannabis possession offences—which, as mentioned, used to account for most police-reported drug crime—the rate of drug crime was still 5% lower in 2024 than it was in 2014 (126 incidents per 100,000 population versus 132). The difference was even greater compared with 2019—the first full year following legalization—with the rate of drug crime excluding cannabis possession offences being 31% lower in 2024 (181 versus 126).
Data table for Chart 2
Contrary to the long-term decline, rates of police-reported drug crime rose from 2023 to 2024
After 12 consecutive years of decline, the rate of police-reported drug crime increased 13% from 2023 to 2024, from 113 incidents per 100,000 population to 128 (Chart 1). The year-over-year increase since 2023 was the result of more incidents for most types of drug crime, led by cannabis (+2,272 incidents), cocaine (+1,462) and non-heroin opioid (+1,105) offences.Note10 In terms of the type of violation, the largest increases were noted for possession (+3,435 incidents), trafficking (+1,113), and importation and exportation (+1,060) offences. Non-heroin opioids had the largest increase for possession offences (+1,003 incidents), while cocaine had the largest increase for trafficking offences (+885) and “other” drugs had the largest increase for importation and exportation offences (+1,072).
Despite the recent annual increase, the rate of drug crime in 2024 (128 incidents per 100,000 population) remained notably lower than the rates for other offence types, including property crime (3,236), violent crime (1,433) and crime overallNote11 (6,134).
Of all drug offences, those related to cocaine were the most prevalent, accounting for more than one in four drug crimes (27%) (Table 1). These were followed by cannabis offences (17%) and methamphetamine offences (16%), while a smaller proportion involved non-heroin opioids like fentanyl, morphine and oxycodone (10%); heroin (2%); and ecstasy (less than 1%).Note12
Among the provinces and territories in 2024, the highest rate of drug crime, by far, was in the Northwest TerritoriesNote13 (2,591 incidents per 100,000 population), followed by Yukon (555) and British Columbia (251) (Table 2).Note14 The lowest rates were in Ontario (70), Nova Scotia (95) and Prince Edward Island (104). Most of the increase in drug crime from 2023 to 2024 was attributable to increases in British Columbia (+4,742 incidents) and Quebec (+1,903).
Drug crime was lower overall in census metropolitan areas (CMAs)—that is, Canada’s largest urban centres—than outside CMAs (108 incidents per 100,000 population versus 189) in 2024.Note15 Among the 10 most populous CMAs, Vancouver (269), Québec (152) and Montréal (116) had rates that exceeded the CMA average.Note16 Together, they accounted for 45% of all incidents of drug crime in the CMAs.
| Province or territory and selected census metropolitan area | Number | Rate | Rate change from 2023 | Rate change from 2019 | Rate change from 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | |||||
0 true zero or a value rounded to zero
Notes: Data reflect the most serious offence in the incident. In 2018, the Cannabis Act received royal assent and came into force. Rates are calculated on the basis of 100,000 population. Populations are based on July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada’s Centre for Demography. A census metropolitan area (CMA) consists of one or more neighbouring municipalities situated around a major urban core. A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,000, of which 50,000 or more live in the urban core. To be included in the CMA, adjacent municipalities must have a high degree of integration with the central urban area, as measured by commuting flows derived from census data. A census agglomeration must have a core population of at least 10,000. |
|||||
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 1,137 | 209 | 13 | 28 | -9 |
| Prince Edward Island | 186 | 104 | 10 | 13 | -42 |
| Nova Scotia | 1,024 | 95 | 1 | -16 | -72 |
| New Brunswick | 966 | 113 | -2 | -27 | -48 |
| Quebec | 12,605 | 139 | 15 | -37 | -49 |
| Ontario | 11,364 | 70 | 1 | -29 | -68 |
| Manitoba | 2,109 | 141 | 0 | -10 | -46 |
| Saskatchewan | 1,829 | 148 | -4 | -29 | -55 |
| Alberta | 5,985 | 122 | -7 | -38 | -62 |
| British Columbia | 14,283 | 251 | 45 | -35 | -51 |
| Yukon | 259 | 555 | 29 | -6 | -21 |
| Northwest Territories | 1,159 | 2,591 | 55 | 231 | 130 |
| Nunavut | 68 | 165 | -15 | 69 | -76 |
| Canada Table 2 Note 1 | 53,002 | 128 | 13 | -31 | -56 |
| Census metropolitan areas Table 2 Note 2 | 33,531 | 108 | 14 | -32 | -56 |
| Toronto Table 2 Note 3 | 3,624 | 57 | 3 | -4 | -71 |
| Montréal | 5,392 | 116 | 7 | -58 | -46 |
| Vancouver | 8,357 | 269 | 35 | -25 | -37 |
| Calgary | 1,412 | 79 | -81 | -17 | 74 |
| Ottawa–Gatineau | 1,011 | 61 | 11 | -32 | -75 |
| Ottawa Table 2 Note 4 | 503 | 39 | 0 | -40 | -76 |
| Gatineau Table 2 Note 5 | 508 | 140 | 25 | -18 | -71 |
| Edmonton | 1,546 | 94 | 11 | -43 | -67 |
| Winnipeg | 507 | 55 | -1 | -28 | -61 |
| Québec | 1,339 | 152 | 24 | 10 | -38 |
| Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo | 398 | 56 | -3 | -38 | -82 |
| Hamilton Table 2 Note 6 | 637 | 101 | 19 | -35 | -67 |
| Non-census metropolitan areas | 19,471 | 189 | 13 | -25 | -54 |
Long-term decline also observed for offences involving other types of drugs
Despite the increase in police-reported drug crime from 2023 to 2024, the long-term trend remains a decline. Though this has predominantly been driven by the legalization of non-medical cannabis and the subsequent drop in cannabis offences, some other drug offences have declined as well. For instance, the rate for cocaine offences was 23% lower in 2024 than it was in 2014 (35 incidents per 100,000 population versus 46) (Table 1; Chart 2).
In 2017, “opioids (non-heroin)” was added as a category to the UCR Survey to capture information about offences involving this type of drug.Note17 The rate for non-heroin opioid offences peaked in 2021 (16 incidents per 100,000 population), and by 2024, the rate declined to 13 incidents per 100,000 population.
Police-reported possession offences less common compared with a decade earlier
The nature of police-reported drug crime has also changed over time. In 2014, three-quarters (75%) of all drug crimes were possession offences, a proportion that has steadily dropped since, accounting for 42% of drug crime in 2024 (Table 1). Trafficking, importation and exportation, production and other offences now account for a greater proportion of drug crimes, compared with a decade earlier. The decline in possession offences—from 222 incidents per 100,000 population in 2014 to 54 in 2024—is related to the legalization of non-medical cannabis, which accounted for a large proportion of possession offences prior to 2018.
While possession offences have seen the largest decline by far, rates of trafficking and production were also lower in 2024 than in 2014. Drug offences related to importation and exportation were less common than possession and trafficking offences; however, they were the exception to the trend as they had a higher rate in 2024 than in 2014 (24 incidents per 100,000 population versus 3).Note18
Both the long-term decline and the recent increase from 2023 to 2024 may also reflect other factors, such as changes in policing practices and enforcement. For example, declines in possession offences may be due to changes in police charging practices in response to factors such as the guidelines issued by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.Note19 These guidelines directed prosecutors to focus on prosecutions for the most serious drug offences—including those that pose a risk to public safety—and to otherwise pursue suitable alternative measures and diversion from the criminal justice system for simple possession offences under the CDSA.
Changes at the provincial level may also influence national trends. For instance, British Columbia’s exemption from the CDSA by Health Canada for the personal possession of small amounts of certain illegal drugs came into effect on January 31, 2023, leading to a decline in the number of possession offences in that province until it was amended in 2024.Note20
Smaller proportion of police-reported drug crimes are solved compared with a decade earlier, but most solved incidents still result in charges
In general, the proportion of drug crimes cleared (that is, solved) by police has declined over the past decade. In 2024, just over half (52%) of drug crimes were cleared, a slightly smaller proportion than in 2019 (54%), and a notably smaller proportion than in 2014 (80%). This decrease in clearance rates is reflective of trends seen among other offence types and crime in general. It may also reflect the changing nature of drug crime and the decrease in possession offences, which typically require little investigation.
Although the clearance rates of drug crimes have fallen from 2014 to 2024, most cleared drug crimes still result in charges. In 2024, 75% of cleared drug incidents (20,691 incidents) resulted in the laying or recommendation of charges, while the other 25% (6,967) were cleared otherwise.Note21 By contrast, 59% of cleared drug incidents in 2014 resulted in charges being laid or recommended, while 41% were cleared otherwise.
These incidents of drug crime involved 32,991 accused persons in 2024, or 92 accused persons per 100,000 population.Note22 Of these, the vast majority (97%) were adults, while a small proportion (3%) were youth aged 12 to 17.Note23 While adults have consistently accounted for the large majority of those accused of a drug crime, the proportions have somewhat shifted: in 2014, 86% of persons accused were adults and 14% were youth.
Conclusion
For many years, before and after the legalization of non-medical cannabis, police-reported drug crime declined in Canada, largely driven by the decrease in possession offences. However, police-reported drug crime rose in 2024, as offences involving most types of drugs increased relative to 2023.
While cannabis offences—particularly possession—have driven the long-term decline, police-reported crime involving other drugs has also decreased. In addition, a long-term decline emerged across nearly all provinces and territories.
Drug crime is not the only indicator of the societal impact of drugs; other factors, such as the level of drug use, the number of overdoses and the extent of the impact on the health care system, may also be considered. However, analyzing trends in police-reported data highlights the ways that drug crime and police practices and enforcement have changed, which may reflect overarching social trends.
Data sources
Data in this article are from the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey, a census of all crime known to police services in Canada. Some crimes are never detected or brought to the attention of police.
The UCR Survey was revised in 2018 to update the definition of founded crime and expand response categories for clearance status.Note24 These revisions had a minimal impact on police-reported drug crime.
One incident can involve multiple offences. To ensure comparability, data presented in this article are based on the most serious violation in the incident. Police determine the most serious violation according to standardized classification rules in the UCR Survey that consider, for instance, whether the offence is violent, as well as the maximum penalty imposed by the Criminal Code.
References
Brennan, Shannon and Benjamin Mazowita. 2019. “Prior contact with the criminal justice system among people who fatally overdosed on illicit drugs in Surrey and in British Columbia, 2011 to 2016.” Juristat. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-002-X.
Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics. 2018. “Revising the classification of founded and unfounded criminal incidents in the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey.” Juristat. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-002-X.
Cotter, Adam, Jacob Greenland and Maisie Karam. 2015. “Drug-related offences in Canada, 2013.” Juristat. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 85-002-X.
Health Canada. 2018. The Cannabis Act: The facts.
Health Canada. 2022. Taking stock of progress: Cannabis legalization and regulation in Canada.
Public Health Agency of Canada. 2025. Canadian Substance Use Survey (CSUS): Data tool.
Public Prosecution Service of Canada. 2020. “5.13 Prosecution of possession of controlled substances contrary to s. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.” Public Prosecution Service of Canada Deskbook.
Sanmartin, Claudia, Rochelle Garner, Gisèle Carrière, Anthony Matarazzo, Shannon Brennan, Jillian Boyce, Jennifer Thomas, Benjamin Mazowita, Lindsay Porter, Lindsay J. Dorder, Grant Schellenberg, Yan Zhang, Chris Schimmele and Richard Trudeau. 2021. “Statistics Canada British Columbia Opioid Overdose Analytical File: Technical report.” Analytical Studies: Methods and References. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11-633-X.
Statistics Canada. 2021 (July 15). “Study: Understanding opioid overdoses in Simcoe Muskoka, Ontario, 2018 and 2019.” The Daily.
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2025003/article/00003-eng.htm
