In big news for access to mental health treatments, Alberta has become the first Canadian province to regulate the use of psychedelics for therapy treatment.
On Wednesday, the province announced amendments to the Mental Health Services Protection Act, including changes to rules around opioids prescriptions for people with addiction and the amendments to psychedelic use. The province plans to regulate the use of psychedelics, including psilocybin, psilocin, MDMA, LSD, mescaline, DMT, 5 methoxy DMT, and ketamine, to treat psychiatric disorders. The regulations for psychedelics will come into effect on Jan. 16, 2023.
“Some of the strongest supporters are among first responders and veterans who suffer from high rates of PTSD and other mental health conditions,” said Mike Ellis, associate minister of mental health and addictions. “As a former police officer myself, I want to ensure that if there are promising practices to make life better for people with these conditions that we are supporting them in a professional way.”
, Alberta health officials said they are laying out a regulatory groundwork in the province. Alberta’s new regulations would require medical directors to apply for a license before treating patients with psychedelics for mental health disorders. A psychiatrist would have to oversee any treatment, according to the regulations taking effect in January 2023. Health professionals could not charge money for the drugs, and a qualified professional must only give patients the drug at a medical facility – unless the person is in palliative care.
This is an important step forward in not only providing access to treatments for patients in need, but in de-stigmatizing and normalizing psychedelic medicine.
See the full press conference below.
