Canada is poised to become the first G7 country to fully legalize commercial psychedelic therapy nationwide, as new federal guidelines are expected later this summer. This move comes after years of Section 56 exemptions that allowed limited psilocybin and MDMA therapy under strict medical supervision. With over a dozen clinical trials showing safety and efficacy, regulators are now ready to broaden access.
The Canadian Psychedelic Association (CPA) has been lobbying for a scalable framework that includes licensed clinics, certified facilitators, and oversight bodies. Advocates say that legalizing supervised psychedelic therapy could revolutionize mental health care, particularly for depression, PTSD, and addiction — areas where traditional pharmacology has often failed.
Several companies, including Optimi Health and MindMed Canada, are already building infrastructure. Clinics are being redesigned with calming aesthetics, patient safety protocols, and therapist training programs. A new certification initiative for psychedelic-assisted therapy is also expected to launch in partnership with Canadian universities this fall.
Critics, however, worry about over-commercialization and affordability. “We’re glad Canada is moving ahead, but we need to ensure access doesn’t become exclusive to the wealthy,” said Terri Louvier, a therapist involved in end-of-life care trials. The Canadian government is reportedly considering insurance integration options and possible public subsidies for qualified patients.
What do you think, will Canada do it right this time?
Source: The Globe and Mail
