(Langley) British Columbia Premier David Eby says he is “surprised” that Health Canada has granted a cannabis company the right to possess, produce, sell and distribute cocaine.
Updated yesterday at 11:28pm.
Adastra Labs said in a statement that on Feb. 17, Health Canada granted it approval for a change to its controlled substances reseller license.
According to Eby, “when Health Canada made that decision,” the federal agency did so without involving or notifying the provincial government.
At a news conference Thursday on overdose prevention and mental health funding, the prime minister said the province would be reaching out to Health Canada for answers.
“It’s not part of our provincial plan,” he said, referring to ongoing efforts to curb the overdose death rate, with British Columbia averaging more than six people dying every day in 2022.
Health Canada did not respond to requests for comment.
Decriminalization of certain products up to 2.5 grams, including cocaine, began January 31 in British Columbia after the federal government approved the exemption as part of a plan to combat the drug overdose crisis that has killed thousands of people in the province.
More than 11,000 people have died from illegal drug overdoses since British Columbia declared a public health emergency in 2016.
Adastra Labs says the amended license allows it to “interact” with up to 250 grams of cocaine and import coca leaves to manufacture and synthesize the substance.
Michael Forbes, CEO of Adastra, said he will consider how commercialization of the substance fits into his model to position itself to meet demand for a safe supply of cocaine.
Mr Forbes says that “harm reduction is an issue of vital and ongoing importance” and that the company remains at the forefront of drug regulation.
Decriminalization of certain products up to 2.5 grams, including cocaine, began January 31 in British Columbia after the federal government approved the exemption as part of a plan to combat the drug overdose crisis that has killed thousands of people in the province.