The Controlled Substances Regulations (SOR/2025-242) were registered on 28 November 2025 and, by their section 239, came into force on 1 October 2026 (Justice Laws, CSR). The Canada Gazette explains that they consolidate the Narcotic Control Regulations, the Benzodiazepines and Other Targeted Substances Regulations, Parts G and J of the Food and Drug Regulations and the New Classes of Practitioners Regulations, and incorporate six class exemptions (Canada Gazette, SOR/2025-242).
In the regulations, a “restricted drug” means a substance set out in Schedule 4, and that schedule lists psilocin and psilocybin (Justice Laws, CSR). Health Canada says authorization under these regulations is required to permit the sale of the restricted drug psilocybin for clinical testing (Health Canada, magic mushrooms).
The regulations govern licensed dealers, pharmacists, practitioners and hospitals. They do not change the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act’s schedules, and Health Canada still says the production, sale and possession of magic mushrooms are illegal in Canada (Health Canada, magic mushrooms). The Justice Laws consolidation we read was current to 30 September 2026, so it still marked some provisions as not yet in force. Not legal advice.
General information, not legal advice.
Sources
- Justice Laws: Controlled Substances Regulations (SOR/2025-242)
- Canada Gazette Part II: SOR/2025-242 with Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement
- Health Canada: Magic mushrooms
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