Health Canada Approves Cocaine Production? – Hemp | weed | marijuana

Has Health Canada approved a British Columbia-based cannabis company to manufacture cocaine? Adastra Labs released a statement saying that Health Canada had granted them a “dealer’s license” allowing them to possess, manufacture, sell and distribute 250 grams of cocaine.

The company can legally import coca leaves to manufacture and synthesize the substance locally.

In addition, the dealer license grants Adastra the right to own, produce, sell and distribute up to 1,000 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.

“Harm reduction is an extremely important and established issue and we remain at the forefront of drug regulation across the board,” said Michael Forbes, CEO of Adastra.

“We proactively tracked the change to our dealer license to include cocaine back in December 2022. We will evaluate how the commercialization of this substance fits into our business model at Adastra to position ourselves to support the demand for a safe supply of cocaine.”

Health Canada approves cocaine production in BC? BC Premier news

Photo: Andrés Markwart

British Columbia’s unelected Premier David Eby told the press he was “amazed” that Health Canada had granted a cannabis company the right to possess, manufacture, sell and distribute cocaine.

He said, “If Health Canada did indeed do this, they did it, not only without engaging with the province, but without letting us know.”

“It’s not part of our provincial plan,” he added, referring to Ottawa and BC’s joint efforts to decriminalize drugs like cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and ecstasy.

On January 30, 2023, possession of 2.5 grams or less of these substances will no longer be a criminal offense. Instead, the police distribute literature advising the person to seek professional help.

BC opposition parties are not happy that Health Canada is authorizing cocaine production in the province. During Question Time, BC Liberal leader Kevin Falcon asked the Prime Minister, “What on earth is going on here?”

“Since the NDP decriminalized hard drugs like cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine, this company’s share price has doubled,” he said. “But let’s be really clear here. Cocaine is not compulsory. It’s not safe. That’s wrong. Commercializing cocaine as a business opportunity amounts to legalizing the cocaine trade, period. So why did this prime minister allow cocaine to be commercialized?”

Health Canada has not issued a statement to the press at the time of this publication.

Health Canada Approves Cocaine Production? follow the money

Interesting that politicians would frown on Health Canada approving cocaine production. Canada’s cannabis connoisseurs know well how former police officers and politicians have benefited from the legal cannabis market.

Meanwhile, BC’s legacy growers are either taxed into oblivion or kept underground and “illegal”.

The same applies here. While Adastra’s CEO has a history with methadone dispensaries and needle-exchange programs, the real corruption comes from within the government.

dr Perry Kendall, for example, is the former BC Provincial Health Officer. He held the job for twenty years.

He now owns a heroin company.

The guy who still influences Victoria’s politicians and bureaucrats, who promotes “safety of supply” and decriminalization, is also benefiting.

Health Canada’s approval of cocaine production is about making sure decriminalization lines the pockets of key players.

How dangerous is cocaine anyway?

Coca Leaves (AP/John Carita)

Of course, the moral panic over Health Canada’s approval of cocaine production is nothing. The real crime is that a) cocaine is illegal and b) Health Canada picks and chooses which private companies get to produce cocaine while it remains illegal for the rest of us.

But what about what BC’s Liberal leader said? This cocaine is not safe. That manufacturing BC-made cocaine is wrong?

Unfortunately, drug war propaganda still dominates too many Canadians, whether on the left or right of the political spectrum. Consider some of these myths and facts about cocaine.

Myth: Cocaine is highly addictive even in small amounts.

Fact: Developing a cocaine habit is one of the easiest things in the world. However, you don’t get “hooked” after snorting a line — people who have mental health issues. The pharmacology of the drug does not override your free will or compel you to consume it.

Myth: Cocaine is safer than crack.

Fact: They are the same drug. Crack cocaine is cocaine combined with a base, typically baking soda. If you were talking about lung health, snorting coke would be safer than smoking crack.

Myth: Cocaine leads to financial ruin

Fact: Bad psychological problems lead to financial ruin. Many people have balanced their cocaine use or habit without affecting their social, business, and family lives.

Myth: Cocaine drives you crazy

Fact: Cocaine improves mood and increases alertness and energy levels.

Of course, cocaine has side effects. It can cause heart palpitations and high blood pressure, and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.

Not to mention that shady street cocaine manufacturers can mix it with another drug like fentanyl.

Health Canada Approves Cocaine Production – Now What?

Photo by DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS

The anti-drug puritans from both sides of the aisle are wrong. Some argue why Adastra Labs must provide “safety of supply,” while others insist that doing so constitutes “legalizing the cocaine trade” and commercializing the drug.

But the problem isn’t the drugs. It’s people’s relationship with them. For example, because I have asthma, I rarely, if ever, smoke cannabis. I make my own edibles and extracts.

If I were to start smoking again, I would be putting myself at significant health risk. I would turn a healthy relationship with cannabis into a problematic one.

All drugs should be legal. But drug education should also be free of drug war propaganda.

Consider cocaine versus extreme sports like off-road skiing.

People who practice extreme sports know the risks and take precautions to minimize them. Depending on the sport, the individual can even be trained extensively beforehand.

Individuals who choose to use cocaine also need to be aware of the drug’s risks and take precautions to minimize them.

How can cocaine users minimize their risk? First, make sure their sanity is in order. Do you do cocaine at a party for fun? Or do you use it yourself as a coping mechanism to deal with stress?

Second, make sure your physical health is fine. If you have a weak or aging heart, cocaine is not the right drug for you.

And third, the best way to minimize cocaine risks is to make sure your stash isn’t contaminated with other drugs or substances you don’t want.

For that reason, Health Canada’s approval of local cocaine production is a step in the right direction. Now only if they opened the market to everyone instead of a single cannabis company.