The company writes in a statement that it received permission from the health authorities to "legally own, produce, sell and distribute" cocaine as well as morphine, MDMA and heroin.
Attempts at decriminalization
Similar permits have also been concluded with companies that are allowed to manufacture and sell cannabis extracts as well as psilocybin and psilocin – active hallucinogens found in many psychedelic mushrooms.
In January, an exemption from the Criminal Code was granted in the province of British Columbia to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs on a trial basis for three years.
Reduce deaths
Advocates have also pushed to make available preparations that are safer than the illegal drugs that drug users buy on the street.
It is hoped it will reduce the record number of drug poisoning deaths that have hit the province, with more than 10,000 deaths since 2016.