Quebec religion wants Health Canada's blessing to use magic mushrooms in ceremonies
CTV
A Quebec-based religion says Health Canada is dragging its feet on a decision whether to allow members to use magic mushrooms in their ceremonies.
A Quebec-based religion is taking the minister of mental health and addictions to court, claiming Health Canada is dragging its feet on a decision whether to allow its members to use magic mushrooms in their ceremonies.
Gratitude Sanctuary, known as Sanctuaire de la Gratitude in French, and its "Reverend Superior" Alain Menier, filed an application in Federal Court claiming its members need to consume magic mushrooms to practice their religion.
The application was filed by the religious non-profit in early October in Ottawa, and says the group believes people receive "their own teachings when entering the sacred space opened by the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms."
The application says ceremonies must be done safely and legally, but Health Canada hasn't decided on the group's request for an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which was first submitted in March 2022.
"An important tenant of the religion is that the mushrooms should be consumed in the safest way possible, which requires that they be consumed under strict health and safety protocols, in a controlled environment, and under trained supervision," it says.
In response to the request, the application says Health Canada sent two questionnaires to Menier with 41 questions in total, but months went by without a response.
The religious non-profit's lawyer sent a "demand letter" in September to Health Canada seeking a response to the exemption request within 30 days, and "Health Canada confirmed receipt but did not provide any of the responses requested nor demonstrate that it was taking steps to further the processing of the exemption request."
