B.C. premier ‘astonished’ firm got Health Canada approval to make and sell cocaine – CTV
March 3, 2023
British Columbia Premier David Eby says he is “astonished” that Health Canada has granted a cannabis company the right to possess, produce, sell and distribute cocaine.
Adastra Labs in Langley, B.C., said in a news release that Health Canada gave it approval on Feb. 17 for an amendment under its controlled substance dealer’s licence.
Eby told a news conference on Thursday about funding for overdose prevention and mental health that, “if Health Canada did in fact do this,” the federal agency did so without engaging the B.C. government or notifying the province.
The premier said the province will be contacting Health Canada for answers.
“It is not part of our provincial plan,” he said, referring to the ongoing effort to stem the overdose death rate, with an average of more than six people dying every day in B.C. in 2022.
