A magic mushroom-worshipping religion in Quebec is taking Canada’s mental health and addictions minister to court over delays with receiving religious exemption to use the psychoactive fungi. The position is currently held by Ya’ara Saks.
That is according to a report from The Canadian Press this week. “Gratitude Sanctuary” or Sanctuaire de la Gratitude submitted an exemption request to Health Canada in early 2022 and it still hasn’t been processed.
This delay inspired the group’s leader, “Reverend Superior” Alain Menier, to file an application in Canada’s Federal Court early this month.
It alleges that the religion’s members cannot worship in their faith without the use of the psychedelic. They say their religious freedoms are being infringed upon and that followers receive “their own teachings when entering the sacred space, opened by the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms.”
This followed the group sending a letter to Health Canada last month demanding that they respond to their request within 30 days. In the letter, they emphasized the importance of responsible usage.
“An important tenant of the religion is that the mushrooms should be consumed in the safest way possible,” the document said, “which requires that they be consumed under strict health and safety protocols, in a controlled environment and under trained supervision.”
Health Canada acknowledged receiving the letter but still has not processed the application after two and a half years.
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Health Canada permits religious use of ayahuasca
Although legal psilocybin access is currently quite tricky to obtain in the country for any reason, Canada has recently authorized certain religious groups to import and use a more powerful psychoactive substance.
The first to receive an exemption for the use of ayahuasca in 2017 was the “Eclectic Centre for the Universal Flowing Light” or Céu do Montréal: a branch of Brazil’s Santo Daime religion. Another division of the religious group in Toronto received the authorization the following year.
Also, the Beneficient Spiritist Center União do Vegetal (UDV).
UDV is a Christian religion that believes in reincarnation and uses the plant brew to enhance its faith. This religion is the only one in Canada separate from Santo Daime to receive the exemption.
Another Santo Daime group, The Centre for Universal Illumination Luz Divina of Winnipeg, obtained approval to use the psychedelic brew in 2020.
Health Canada is yet to approve any organization for religious psilocybin access.
rowan@mugglehead.com
