Are Poppers legal in Canada?

Also known as: alkyl nitrites, rush

Legal status

Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are not a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act narcotic but ARE regulated as drugs under the Food and Drugs Act: any product containing alkyl nitrites promoted to be inhaled or ingested is a 'drug' requiring Health Canada market authorisation (a DIN), and there is no authorised poppers product, so selling them is an unauthorised-health-product offence. No death penalty.

Consequences if caught

Selling or importing unauthorised alkyl nitrite poppers is illegal under the Food and Drugs Act; Health Canada seizes stock and works with the CBSA to block importation. Section 60 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act lets the Governor in Council by order amend any of Schedules I to IV, VI and IX by adding or deleting an item, if the Governor in Council considers the amendment necessary in the public interest. The consolidation read states on its face that it is current to 21 July 2026. An absence is only ever an absence as at the version read, and this cell does not rule out a later amendment.

If prescribed or medical

Alkyl nitrites (amyl/butyl/isobutyl nitrite) are treated as prescription drugs for supervised medical use; no over-the-counter or consumer poppers product is authorised.

Documentation

No lawful retail poppers market; unauthorised imports are subject to seizure at the border.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Canada’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.