Canadian Businesses Granted Permission To Produce And Distribute Psychedelics And Other Drugs

Previously, as part of an effort to combat the drug overdose crisis, the western Canadian province of British Columbia launched a three-year trial programme on Tuesday to stop punishing people for carrying small amounts of heroin, meth, ecstasy or crack cocaine.

And now, at least two businesses claim to have received permission from the federal government to manufacture and sell cocaine, heroin, MDMA, or magic mushrooms in British Columbia, Canada.

Companies receive permission to sell drugs in British Columbia, Canada

Pexels

However, it's unclear under what conditions the businesses will be permitted to sell the drugs, and British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was "astonished" to hear the news.

Sunshine Earth Labs, a producer of psychedelics, announced on Thursday that Health Canada, a federal government agency, has given the company permission to legally produce and distribute drugs like psilocybin, the primary ingredient in mushrooms, MDMA, cocaine and coca leaves, opium, morphine, and heroin. "Bring a safer supply of drugs to the global market," the company declared.

Pexels

Adastra, a company that extracts cannabis, declared that it is now authorised by law to manufacture and distribute cocaine and psilocybin. Adastra is authorised to produce the drugs for research and medical use, but it is not permitted to sell its products to the general public, according to a statement from Health Canada as reported by VICE News.

Drugs can only be sold to licensees, not the general public

Pexels

The drugs can only be sold to people who have cocaine listed on their licences, pharmacists, doctors, hospitals, or people who have a section 56(1) exemption to sell them for research.

Both businesses assert that they were granted modifications under Health Canada's Dealer's Licenses, which give producers, physicians, and researchers exemptions from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and permit them to possess and produce illegal drugs.

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.