Quebec religion wants Health Canadas blessing to use magic mushrooms in ceremonies – Montreal [Video]

A Quebec-based religion says Health Canada is dragging its feet on a decision whether to allow members to use magic mushrooms in their ceremonies.

Gratitude Sanctuary, known as Sanctuaire de la Gratitude in French, and its “Reverend Superior” Alain Menier, say in an application filed in Federal Court that members need to consume magic mushrooms to practice their religion.

The application filed by the religious non-profit in early October in Ottawa says the group believes people receive “their own teachings when entering the sacred space opened by the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms.”

It says the ceremonies must be done safely and legally, and Menier first asked Health Canada about an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in January 2022.

The court application says Health Canada sent two questionnaires to Menier with 41 questions in total, but months went by without a response.

Gratitude Sanctuary wants to compel the agency to decide on the …