Health Canada describes the Special Access Program as a way for health or dental practitioners to request drugs that are unavailable for sale in Canada, for patients with a serious or life-threatening condition where conventional treatments have failed, are unsuitable or are unavailable (Health Canada, SAP drugs). Only practitioners may apply; Health Canada says individuals cannot apply directly for restricted or unauthorized drugs (Health Canada, magic mushrooms).
If a psilocybin request is authorized, the manufacturer receives a Letter of Authorization to sell a specified quantity, and the product must be imported by a licensed dealer with psilocybin on its licence (Health Canada, magic mushrooms). The legal basis is section C.08.010 of the Food and Drug Regulations (Justice Laws, FDR). Practitioner access to restricted drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA through the program was restored in January 2022 (Canada Gazette, SOR/2025-242).
Health Canada says there is no guarantee a request will be granted. An authorization is not an approval: no therapeutic product containing psilocybin is approved in Canada. Not medical or legal advice.
General information, not legal advice.
Sources
- Health Canada: Special Access Program for drugs
- Health Canada: Magic mushrooms
- Justice Laws: Food and Drug Regulations
- Canada Gazette Part II: SOR/2025-242
Last checked .