For small-scale growers, Health Canada is asking if there any elements of the regulatory framework that put micro-cultivation, micro-processing and nursery licence holders at a competitive disadvantage compared to larger companies. 

The government is also asking for feedback on the current beverage limits, which are capped at two litres. The document notes that stakeholders have raised concerns that the confusing limits push consumers to higher-potency products. 

Changes to Health Canada’s Special Access Program

Additionally, the government announced its intent to amend the Food and Drug Regulations and the Narcotic Control Regulations to restore potential access to restricted drugs through Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP). 

The SAP was designed to allow Canadians to access medicines that have not been formally approved but historically, psychedelic medications have not been eligible. That could soon change. 

Revisions to the program could make it easier for Canadians to access drugs like MDMA and psilocybin (magic mushrooms) for therapeutic purposes. 

This year nearly 30 Canadians, ranging from those in palliative care to healthcare professionals, have been granted Section 56 exemptions to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act so they may legally consume psilocybin and undergo psychedelic-enhanced psychotherapy. 

This type of treatment is gaining traction for its documented ability to combat a range of mental health conditions, particularly in patients who have not responded well to conventional treatments. 

In a statement, Payton Nyquvest, founder and CEO of Vancouver-based Numinus Wellness Inc., called the announcement “a milestone for the entire healthcare industry and one that highlights our country’s commitment to making psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies an accessible reality for Canadians who have run out of options.”