Section 56 Letter

Our Letter To The Minister of Health

Dear Minister of Health,

As the Executive Director of The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Canada (MAPS Canada), I would like to express my organization’s support for British Columbia’s and Toronto’s initiatives to decriminalize personal possession of all illegal drugs, including psychedelics. MAPS Canada is committed to conducting and publishing scientific research supporting the beneficial uses of psychedelic medicines in the treatment of mental health conditions.

We strongly believe decriminalization will be beneficial for people who use drugss, practitioners, and will help end the stigma around drug-use that has persisted for too long. People who use drugs in isolation under fear of arrest, from opioids to psychedelics, are at higher risk of harm.

MAPS Canada is currently supporting the final phase of clinical trials for 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We are also in the initial implementation stage of an MDMA- assisted psychotherapy trial for eating disorders and have a number of other studies in the beginning stages.

We are very encouraged that the province of British Columbia and the City of Toronto are piloting this project and basing their decisions on solid public health advice that is based in evidence from around the world and in Canada. We urge you to strongly consider granting their Controlled Drugs and Substances Act section 56 exemption requests. We believe the science speaks for itself and I encourage you to refer to the Literature Review in the attached Appendix for a summary of significant positive results showing the benefits of psychedelics for treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions.

Warm regards,

 

 

Scott Bernstein

Executive Director