By: Ûforia Team

Read time: 5 minutes

• Table of contents

Published: September 7th, 2023

The legal psychedelic landscape has seen a shift over the years but 2023 has marked a significant step forward in the landscape of Canadian psychedelic regulations. Key highlights from this year include:

• Federal Special Access Program (SAP) underwent changes, allowing healthcare professionals to request psilocybin and MDMA.
• British Columbia witnessed a groundbreaking federal exemption, decriminalizing possession of specific controlled substances, including MDMA.
• Alberta's government unveiled guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• A landmark legal challenge emerged, advocating for the constitutional right to individualized psilocybin-assisted therapy.

It's also worth noting the progressive steps taken by the U.S., such as Colorado's decision to decriminalize certain psychedelic plants and fungi and Oregon's move towards establishing regulated psilocybin wellness centers.

<aside> 💡 Interested in the status of psychedelic legalization in the US? Check out this interactive tracker for more insights and data.

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Understanding Canada's psychedelic laws

Three primary federal laws dictate the legal status of psychedelics in Canada: the Cannabis Act, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), and the Food and Drugs Act (FDA).

Due to varied enforcement, there's some ambiguity surrounding these laws. Here's a brief overview: