Breaking News: Health Canada Denies Psilocybin Access

How we will get to the point where psychedelic medicine therapies are available to all those who need? It will be a multi-pronged approach, requiring constant efforts from regulatory approval for new drugs, to legislative decriminalization, to education and changing the cultural taboo.

2021 saw some serious progress towards the decriminalization of psychedelics. We had California getting close to the finish line with a historic bill; Seattle becoming the largest US city to decrim drugs; Detroit decriminalising psychedelics; and the city of Toronto voting to request a decrim exemption from the federal government.

In Canada, the government has officially repealed restrictions prohibiting the sale of illegal compounds, opening up the Special Access Program to allow psychedelics, on a case-by-case basis, to be sold to approved doctors/therapists/pharmacists for patients in need.

This was big news, and part of a trend of the Canadian government recognizing psychedelics’ therapeutic potential and easing access.

Which is why it came as a shock that the federal government has just denied dozens of health care professionals seeking psilocybin access and training under section 56 exemption application. Health Canada had recently granted 3 patients an exemption a few months ago, making this decision all the more disappointing.

Non-profit TheraPsil has been leading the charge for increased access, working closely with the government. We’ll let them explain the consequences of this decision. See below.

Hopefully, this is just a hiccup on the road, and access under the SAP will give people the help they need. Stay tuned.

Thread 🧵

BREAKING: Health Canada has just notified TheraPsil and dozens of health care professionals seeking psilocybin access and training that their section 56 exemptions are to be denied. (1/ )

— TheraPsil (@TheraPsil) February 2, 2022

This will affect 1000+ health care professionals on our training waiting list and thousands of patients who are seeking help in applying for section 56 and SAP access to #psilocybin. (2/ )

— TheraPsil (@TheraPsil) February 2, 2022

For those interested in getting involved and educated, TheraPsil is offering a webinar. See below.

#Psilocybin access rights: We’re at a turning point…

Join us for our next webinar on February 16th at 4pm PST for updates regarding patient access, healthcare professional access for training, and how you can advocate with us for change.

Register here: https://t.co/Sykn3NgfPs pic.twitter.com/jAXLaRoxtV

— TheraPsil (@TheraPsil) February 4, 2022