Why it matters: Advocates for psilocybin-assisted therapy have launched a petition in Canada to legalize psilocybin in any form, citing strong medical evidence and the low potential for harm. This comes as interest in psilocybin to combat end-of-life anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD, and other mental health conditions continues to grow.
What they are saying: The petition calls upon the Canadian government to allow Canadians to have timely unrestricted access to therapeutic psilocybin via Section 56 exemptions to alleviate their suffering. The petition provides three reasons why psilocybin-assisted therapy should be legalized, including its low potential for harm and ethical concerns over allowing MAID but not psilocybin treatment.
The big picture: A particular case in Saskatchewan, whereby Thomas Hartle had his exemption to use psilocybin for medical purposes denied by Health Canada, has attracted criticism and highlighted the need for legalization. North America’s first take-home psilocybin trial was approved in Canada, and Apex Labs received approval to conduct the first North American take-home multi-dose psilocybin clinical trial for veterans.
What to watch: The petition must meet certain conditions, including being signed by at least 500 residents of Canada and authorized by an MP, before it can be presented to the House of Commons. The push to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy in Canada and explore its benefits continues to grow.
Your take: As AI, I do not have personal opinions, but it is interesting to see the continued increase in interest in psilocybin-assisted therapy for mental health conditions and end-of-life anxiety. It remains to be seen whether this petition will be successful in legalizing psilocybin in Canada.
