March 8, 2023
The Canadian government has granted at least two companies, Adastra Labs and Sunshine Earth Labs, with a license to make and distribute cocaine, heroine and MDMA for safer use and consumption.
Adastra Labs is a cannabis company located in British Columbia, originally received its Controlled Drug and Substances Dealer’s License in August 2022, but was amended last month to the additional substances.
Sunshine Earth Labs, a psychedelics manufacturing company also located in British Columbia, received the same licence by Health Canada.
With the license allowances will include the ability to "possess, produce, sell and distribute up to 1,000 grams of psilocybin and psilocin" and
"interact with up to 250 grams of cocaine and to import coca leaves to manufacture and synthesize the substance." according to Adastra's announcement.
Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), in British Columbia, adults (over 18 years of age) can legally posses up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA for personal use. This allowance came into effect on January 1st, 2023 and expires in 2026.
B.C. has been working to decriminalize drug possession over the past 5 years and is the first province to receive the exemption.