A growing body of medical research has shown that psilocybin Canada drugs can be effective in treating mental health and addiction issues, when used in combination with psychotherapy. This is why Canada is investing $3 million in clinical trials of psilocybin, the drug found in magic mushrooms.

A survey of 1,000 Quebec and 1,800 Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia residents suggests that many Canadians are open to loosening the rules around psychedelics. Seventy-nine per cent of those surveyed support allowing doctors to prescribe psilocybin, which has been illegal in Canada since the mid-70s.

Some terminally ill patients have been able to request a special exemption from Health Canada to use psilocybin under the terms of the existing Special Access Program. That pathway is available only to regulated healthcare practitioners who have been authorized to treat the patient with restricted drugs and who meet the practitioner requirements of section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Navigating the Regulations: Psilocybin in Canada

Those seeking an exemption can apply through their doctors if they have tried psychotherapy, antidepressants and anxiolytics without seeing results. A recent study of cancer patients at NYU Langone found that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced their anxiety and depression, and enhanced their capacity to experience and accept the reality of death.

Lawyer Eugene Oscapella, who specializes in drug law, says the number of shops selling magic mushrooms will probably grow in the same way that cannabis stores proliferated when it first became legal in Canada. But he adds that police have discretion over what to pursue and may have more pressing issues on their plate.