Canada authorizes health professionals to use psilocybin

Canada has authorized 17 healthcare professionals to possess, use, and prescribe psilocybin to better treat the growing number of patients now authorized to use the psychedelic drug, Canadian Health Minister Patty Hadju revealed.

Licensed health professionals include psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical counselors, social workers, general practitioners, and nurses. These approvals were granted through exemptions under subsection 56 of the Canadian Drugs and Other Substances Act—the same exemptions that, 30 years ago, first allowed access to medical cannabis in Canada.

«I am also pleased to say that yesterday, Health Canada granted exemptions to a number of healthcare professionals who wanted to possess and consume psilocybin-containing mushrooms,» said the Minister of Health. She described the decision as «controversial for some and not for others, but the doctors who prescribe this therapy wanted to understand what the results would be and how best to use it to help their patients in need.»

At my Virtual Town Hall with the Health Minister @PattyHajdu answers a question from Spencer about the use of psilocybin mushrooms in palliative care.

Watch here ⬇️https://t.co/O9iFJgziH6

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— Dr. Hedy Fry (@HedyFry) December 6, 2020

On August 4, 2020, Minister Patty Hajdu began granting access to psilocybin to a few Canadians nearing the end of their lives thanks to the exemptions under Article 56. To date, 14 people have received exemptions to access psilocybin treatment, including, most recently, for cases of depression.