the Therapeutic Effects of Magic Mushrooms

"The only places where I really run into problems is with the minister of health himself, and with Health Canada being resistant to moving forward with opening the avenues of this."

"[I'd like to discourage people from going] into these illegal markets and get treatment from potentially questionable sources and people."

"I would like this therapy to be medicalized so that it's a treatment [so] that your doctor can just give you a referral to a professional who is qualified and experienced and who has access to a safe supply."

Thomas Hartle, stage-four colon cancer patient

"It is amazing that these patients can very easily go to storefronts and buy these mushrooms but are being barred from doing it safely with their doctor, from a regulated medical source."

"You can almost think about it like the government granting patients access to chemotherapy but making medical school and the training around ... chemotherapy illegal."

"All we would have is underground chemotherapy treatments. And that's what's happening today in Canada."

"[Demand for training on how to use psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has been] absolutely unbelievable [but the majority of doctors are reluctant]."

"They're putting an awful lot on the line in terms of their reputation and credibility for this treatment because, you know, as of now, Health Canada does not recognize psilocybin as a treatment for anything."

Spencer Hawkswell, CEO, TheraPsil

A vendor bags psilocybin mushrooms at a pop-up cannabis market in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel,)

 

A few years ago Thomas Hartle's name was in the news when he became one of the first Canadians given a federal exemption to treat symptoms of his stage-four colon cancer with magic mushrooms. Soon after that landmark decision, however, he said legal avenues for access to the drug were 'shut off', and this while there is a booming illegal market.

Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound magic mushrooms produce, illegal in Canada. Despite early clinical trials underway testing the effectiveness in treating mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

The drug, listed under Schedule III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, can be obtained legally only with an exemption from the federal minister, or for use in a clinical trial, or through a special access program allowing physicians to request the drug for patients who suffer from serious or life-threatening conditions.

In some cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa, psilocybin is being sold at an increasing number of brick-and-mortar shops that now sell magic mushrooms openly. These products are also readily available to Canadian homes through delivery. A handful of patients in 2020, many suffering from terminal illness, were granted exemption for the use of psilocybin by a former Canadian health minister. Under Canada's drug law such exemptions do not permit patients to buy or legally receive psilocybin. Instead it legally allows their medical practitioners to use the drug for treatment.

The use of psilocybin made Mr. Hartle more comfortable with the anxiety his end-of-life condition imposed upon his mind. His exemption, however, expired following a year of use, and he is left waiting on a response about obtaining another exemption, even though nothing stops him from procuring the illegal mushrooms now available online or at area stores. He has no intention to buy it illegally.

According to Health Canada, early clinical trials show "promising results", but more research still is required and "the best way for patients to access psilocybin is through participation in a clinical trial". It does seem to patients anxious to obtain exemptions, that use of the drugs as a palliative care tool makes infinitely more sense.

TheraPsil, a non-profit organization, offers training to health-care practitioners and works with patients to help them obtain psilocybin as well as being involved in a movement to have the government change its drug policy on this item. The group was of assistance to Mr. Hartle and other patients, helping them access their exemptions, as well as leading a legal challenge to fight the status of psilocybin as an illegal drug, in Federal Court.

 

A recreational magic mushroom industry is popping up in Canada as advocates mount legal challenges arguing the federal government should regulate psilocybin so it can be more readily available to patients who need it. Magic mushrooms are seen in a grow room in Hazerswoude, Netherlands. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Peter Dejong