Court Reverses Health Canada’s Ban on Psilocybin Training for Clinicians

LOS ANGELES- A recent decision by the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that Health Canada’s 2022 refusal to grant exemptions allowing health-care professionals to participate in experiential psilocybin training was unreasonable. The court determined that the agency reversed its stance without offering a valid rationale, ordering the matter to be reconsidered by Minister Marjorie Mitchell. The original exemption request, submitted by 96 practitioners under lead applicant nurse‑practitioner Jeff Toth of Nova Scotia, sought approval to use dried psilocybin mushrooms during training to better prepare for patient administration.

The ruling underscores the importance of experiential learning in both the safe and effective delivery of psychedelic-assisted therapies. Critics, including legal and medical advocates, argued that unable to engage firsthand, clinicians face barriers in guiding patients through psychedelic experiences.