6.41°C Vancouver
connect fm logo

Mar 3, 2023 6:35 PM - The Canadian Wire

Trudeau says he is 'as surprised as Eby' that B.C. firm talks about selling cocaine

Share On
trudeau-says-he-is-as-surprised-as-eby-that-b-c-firm-talks-about-selling-cocaine
The public uproar began after Adastra Labs said Health Canada approved its licence amendment to produce, sell and distribute cocaine on Feb. 17

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is "as surprised as" British Columbia Premier David Eby after a firm received Health Canada licence amendments to produce and sell cocaine.

Trudeau says the federal government is talking to Adastra Labs of Langley, B.C., about changing the language of its statements, after the company said it is looking for ways to incorporate cocaine into its business plan.

This comes as a second B.C. company says it is now licensed to produce, sell and distribute cocaine and MDMA, also known as ecstasy, although Health Canada says they cannot sell products to the general public.

Victoria's Sunshine Earth Labs, a biosciences firm that "aims to bring safer supply of drugs to the global market," says it obtained an amended Controlled Drug and Substances Dealer's Licence to include MDMA and cocaine last year.

In a written statement, Health Canada says it "thoroughly reviews applications" to ensure licensees follow all existing policies on public health and safety.

The federal agency says Adastra's licence is for "scientific and medical purposes only," and licensees can only sell to others who are licensed to possess the substance.

The public uproar began after Adastra Labs said Health Canada approved its licence amendment to produce, sell and distribute cocaine on Feb. 17.

Eby said on Thursday that he was "astonished" by the news, and that the province had not been notified or consulted by Health Canada on the matter.

Latest news

See All
b-c-conservative-leadership-race-aims-to-reset-party-direction-after-internal-turmoil-says-halford
BCDec 23, 2025

B.C. Conservative leadership race aims to reset party direction after internal turmoil, says Halford

The upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of B.C. will offer members a chance to present a new vision and rebuild unity after weeks of public turmoil, according to interim leader Trevor Halford. He says the party is focused on moving forward following a rare and highly visible split within its caucus earlier this month. Halford was appointed interim leader on Dec. 3 after the party board removed John Rustad, citing a loss of confidence and describing him as professionally incapacitated. The decision followed months of internal disputes that Conservative MLAs said had hurt fundrai
canadas-economy-contracts-in-october-as-manufacturing-and-public-sector-activity-slow
CanadaDec 23, 2025

Canada’s economy contracts in October as manufacturing and public sector activity slow

Canada’s real gross domestic product declined by 0.3 per cent in October, according to new data from Statistics Canada, as weakness in manufacturing and parts of the public sector weighed on overall economic activity. The federal agency said goods-producing industries fell by 0.7 per cent during the month, with manufacturing responsible for nearly the entire drop. The slowdown follows earlier signs of easing demand and supply chain adjustments across several manufacturing subsectors. Public sector activity also declined, partly reflecting the impact of Alberta’s provincewide teachers’ st
WorldDec 23, 2025

Russian drone and missile barrage hits Ukraine, killing at least three and disrupting power

Ukraine says Russia launched one of its largest combined aerial attacks of the war overnight and into Tuesday, firing more than 650 drones along with several dozen missiles at targets across the country. Ukrainian officials reported at least three people were killed, including a four-year-old child, and multiple regions experienced power outages as air defences worked for hours to repel the assault. The strikes damaged energy infrastructure and residential areas, forcing emergency crews to respond across several cities. Authorities said the scale and duration of the attack caused widespread di
alberta-election-agency-approves-proposed-separation-referendum-question
AlbertaDec 23, 2025

Alberta election agency approves proposed separation referendum question

Alberta’s election authority has approved a proposed referendum question that would ask voters whether the province should separate from Canada and become an independent country. Elections Alberta confirmed the question meets the technical requirements under provincial legislation. The wording asks voters whether they agree that Alberta should cease to be part of Canada in order to become an independent state. The application was submitted by the Alberta Prosperity Project, an organization that advocates for increased provincial autonomy and independence. The group now has until early Januar
BCDec 23, 2025

Second-degree murder charge laid nearly six years after Maple Ridge homicide

Nearly six years after the body of 24-year-old Edi Bogere was found on a vacant forested property in Maple Ridge, homicide investigators say charges have now been approved in the case. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirms that a 31-year-old Port Coquitlam man has been charged in connection with Bogere’s death, which was first deemed suspicious in January 2020 after Ridge Meadows RCMP responded to the scene and requested IHIT assistance. Investigators believe Bogere was last seen leaving his home in Coquitlam on the evening of December 27, 2019. His body was discovered two week

Related News

B.C. Conservative leadership race aims to reset party direction after internal turmoil, says Halford

B.C. Conservative leadership race aims to reset party direction after internal turmoil, says Halford

The upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of B.C. will offer members a chance to present a new vision and rebuild unity after weeks of public turmoil, according to interim leader Trevor Halford. He says the party is focused on moving forward following a rare and highly visible split within its caucus earlier this month. Halford was appointed interim leader on Dec. 3 after the party board removed John Rustad, citing a loss of confidence and describing him as professionally incapacitated. The decision followed months of internal disputes that Conservative MLAs said had hurt fundrai
Second-degree murder charge laid nearly six years after Maple Ridge homicide

Second-degree murder charge laid nearly six years after Maple Ridge homicide

Nearly six years after the body of 24-year-old Edi Bogere was found on a vacant forested property in Maple Ridge, homicide investigators say charges have now been approved in the case. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirms that a 31-year-old Port Coquitlam man has been charged in connection with Bogere’s death, which was first deemed suspicious in January 2020 after Ridge Meadows RCMP responded to the scene and requested IHIT assistance. Investigators believe Bogere was last seen leaving his home in Coquitlam on the evening of December 27, 2019. His body was discovered two week
Vancouver police search for driver after fatal hit-and-run in East Vancouver

Vancouver police search for driver after fatal hit-and-run in East Vancouver

Vancouver Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly pedestrian in East Vancouver early Tuesday morning. Officers say the collision occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Rupert Street near Euclid Avenue. Police and BC Emergency Health Services responded to reports that an 81-year-old woman had been struck by a vehicle. The driver did not remain at the scene and was last seen travelling northbound on Rupert Street. The woman died at the scene before she could be taken to hospital. Investigators believe the vehicle involved is a dark grey Volkswagen Golf, like
connect fm logo

Legals

Privacy policy
Journalism code of ethics
© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.
MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

About
Advertisers
Careers
Contact
Feedback
Accessibility Plan
BC Children's Hospital
Android app linkApple app link