Judge tosses drug trafficking convictions for B.C. compassion club founders after constitutional challenge

A B.C. Supreme Court judge has ruled in favour of two harm reduction activists convicted of drug trafficking who argued they were doing it to reduce the harms caused by toxic drugs.

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Eris Nyx, right, speaks near Jeremy Kalicum, founders of the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF). (Ben Nelms/CBC)

The founders of a Vancouver-based compassion club that sold uncontaminated drugs to its members have had their drug trafficking convictions stayed after they successfully challenged the constitutionality of Canada's drug laws.

On Tuesday, a B.C. Supreme Court judge found the Drug User Liberation Front's compassion club reduced the harms associated with the toxic drug crisis and did not negatively impact the community or public safety.

Justice Catherine Murray found part of Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act unconstitutional and stayed the convictions against Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx, who co-founded DULF.

Kalicum and Nyx were found guilty last year of drug trafficking after Vancouver police raided the club in 2023 .

Copyright for this text belongs to CBC.