At ATMA CENA, we see it up close every day: patients who could really benefit from psilocybin-assisted therapy in Canada, but who get stuck in a slow, unpredictable system when they try to access it legally. Right now, most patients only have one path in: Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP). It works, but not well enough — approvals have dropped by about half compared to last year, and there’s growing concern about wait times.
That’s why we’re excitedly keeping a close eye on two pieces of Canadian psychedelic legislation moving through Parliament right now: Bill C-265 and Bill C-286. Both aim to make legal psilocybin access easier for patients. While neither is law yet, both are real signs that access to psychedelic-assisted therapy is improving — and that’s exciting.
What Is Bill C-265? Fixing the Special Access Program
Introduced by MP Marcus Powlowski back in March 2026, Bill C-265 has already passed second reading and is sitting with a House health committee — solid progress for a private member’s bill.
Bill C-265 aims to make Canada’s Special Access Program for psilocybin less cumbersome. Here’s what it would change:
- Drops the “try everything else first” rule. No more proving other treatments failed before you can even apply.
- Creates a pre-approved treatment list. So not everyone has to start from scratch with an individual application.
- Allows real-world clinical results to count as evidence, not just data from double-blind clinical trials.
- Gives physicians more say. Two expert doctors backing a patient could override a Health Canada refusal.
- Allows emergency access to psilocybin therapy without waiting on a formal authorization letter first.
What Is Bill C-286 (Thomas’ Bill)? A Bigger Swing at Psilocybin Reclassification
Bill C-286 is newer, introduced in June 2026 by MP Corey Tochor. Known as “Thomas’ Bill,” it’s named for Thomas Hartle — a Saskatchewan cancer patient who became the first Canadian legally approved for psilocybin therapy back in 2020. When his renewal got stuck in delays, he had to travel abroad just to keep his treatment going. He passed away in 2024. His story is a big part of why this bill exists.
Instead of tweaking the SAP, Bill C-286 goes bigger:
- Moves psilocybin and psilocin out of the “restricted drug” category and into an existing medical framework used for other controlled drugs.
- Requires priority review for new psilocybin treatments — potentially decisions within 180 days.
Want to add your voice? Sign the petition for Thomas’ Bill here.
C-265 vs. C-286: Different Roads, Same Destination
These bills aren’t competing — they’re two different fixes for the same problem: patients who need psilocybin therapy are stuck waiting on a system that can be slow and unpredictable.
- C-265 is further along in the legislative process.
- C-286 aims for something more permanent: reclassifying psilocybin itself.
- Both could pass. They’re not mutually exclusive.
ATMA CENA’s Stance on Psilocybin Access Reform
We are genuinely encouraged and support both of these bills. We recognize that private member’s bills are slow-moving and can change at any stage — yet we’re still excited about the momentum.
Whether it’s fixing the SAP or reclassifying psilocybin altogether, both paths move Canada toward a system that treats patients with the urgency they deserve. We’re encouraging our community to sign the petition and help keep that momentum going.
Join Our Free Webinar on Canadian Psychedelic Legislation
We’re so excited about this moment that we’re hosting a live webinar with policy and advocacy experts to unpack it all — save your spot and bring your questions.
Date: July 17, 2026 | Time: 15:00 MST
Meet the Experts:
- Reverdi Darda (RN) — CEO and Co-Founder, ATMA CENA
- Austin Miller (MA, MPM, LEED) — Strategy Lead, Bluestem; Board Chair, PsyCan
- Nicholas Pope (JD) — Federal Administrative Lawyer, Ottawa
