Health Canada dragging feet on approving magic mushrooms for therapeutic use, patients and advocates say

To date, Health Canada has granted legal exemptions to 19 healthcare professionals and 32 terminally-ill patients so they can legally use psilocybin in clinical settings. The patients have reported life-changing results, yet at least 119 patients are still awaiting exemptions to gain access to the therapy, and experts are beginning to see the lengthy process as an ethical issue.

TheraPsil, a Victoria non-profit, has hired lawyers to take action against Health Canada and Health Minister Patty Hajdu through the federal court. TheraPsil’s efforts will hopefully speed up the application process and bring justice to patients who are desperate for psilocybin therapy.