Therapsil: Legal access to psilocybin in Canada for the first time since 1974 - a podcast by Armin Khayatian & Colin Ball

from 2020-09-04T11:00

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TheraPsil is a non-profit coalition of healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates dedicated to obtaining legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for Canadians. On August 4th, 2020, four individuals grappling with end-of-life distress who were supported by TheraPsil in their application for a Section 56 exemption to the Canadian Drugs and Substances Act were approved! This was the first time that a personal application for psilocybin therapy was approved in Canada since it was made illegal in 1974. In today's episode, we interview Spencer Hawkswell, TheraPsil's Chief Executive Officer, and discuss everything from the organization's inception through to the scientific, moral, and legal arguments in favor of expanding access to psilocybin in Canada. Our conversation includes tactical tips for grassroots activists, discussions of what's on the horizon for their organization, as well as calls-to-action and information for advocates and patients in palliative care.


Links to additional topics we discussed:



  • Find out if you qualify for TheraPsil's support: https://therapsil.ca/patients/

  • Read more about the scientific, moral, and legal arguments in favour of access: https://therapsil.ca/reasoning/

  • Dig into the academic research TheraPsil has compiled informing their reasoning: https://therapsil.ca/bibliography/

  • Learn more about Section 56 exemptions: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/controlled-substances-precursor-chemicals/exemptions.html

  • Read a Canadian Member of Parliament's letter addressed to the Minister of Health on this topic: https://therapsil.ca/letter-from-marcus-powlowski-to-minister-patty-hajdu/#more-999

  • Watch the full video testimonials from patients like Thomas and Laurie on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG7KAXDjoNH2i05KGW3vmsw


Follow us on Twitter @Arminkhaya and @Colinrball and DM us your thoughts, questions, and feedback :)

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