Second Psilocybin Approval Secured for Cluster Headache Patient After Legal Action

Historic second Special Access Program approval shows discretion can help patients, but medical psilocybin regulations are still needed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALGARY, AB — June 9, 2025 — TheraPsil, Canada’s leading non-profit advocating for safe, legal psychedelic therapy, and human rights lawyer Nicholas Pope announce that Jody Lance—the first Canadian cluster headache patient ever granted legal psilocybin—has received a second Special Access Program (SAP) authorization from Health Canada.

Cluster headaches, known as “suicide headaches” for their excruciating pain, left Mr. Lance unable to work or enjoy life. After years of failed treatments, only carefully measured, non-hallucinogenic doses of psilocybin brought him relief. Yet each course required a new SAP application—and more legal hurdles.

After Health Canada’s initial refusal in 2023, the Federal Court ruled the denial “unreasonable” and found the agency “wholly disregarded” Mr. Lance’s Charter rights. He finally secured approval in 2024, but when that supply ran out, he was required to apply again.

This time, another barrier emerged: lengthy delay. Despite the prior approval and Health Canada’s public statement that requests for psilocybin are “generally processed within 1-2 working days”, Health Canada took months to render a decision.

After waiting two months, Mr. Lance filed an application in Federal Court seeking to compel the government to make a decision on the request. After three more months, with the pressure of an impending hearing, Health Canada finally approved the request. But the delay meant that Mr. Lance did not have access to his medicine when a new cycle of headaches began to hit this spring.

In granting this new authorization, Health Canada says it has “decided to exercise its discretion and flexibility,” yet still labels the decision “exceptional.”

“After eight years of failed treatments and proven psilocybin relief, Mr. Lance should never have needed a court order to get his medicine,” said Nicholas Pope, Mr. Lance’s lawyer. “Health Canada’s own letter acknowledges his ‘serious, painful, and debilitating condition’ and its impact on his Charter rights. Patients shouldn’t have to fight every time.”

Spencer Hawkswell, CEO of TheraPsil, added: “We thank the Honourable Health Minister Marjorie Michel for using her discretion to approve Mr. Lance’s treatment again. But without medical psilocybin regulations, patients like him risk being forced into court year after year. It’s time to fund research, put more trust in doctors and put patients first. We look forward to working with you on your new appointment as Health Minister.”

This decision is a huge win for Mr. Lance, but too many Canadians with cluster headaches and other severe conditions remain stuck in a cycle of bureaucracy. TheraPsil calls on Health Canada and Parliament to implement medical psilocybin regulations that put healthcare teams—not paperwork—at the center of care, ensuring no one has to fight for essential medicine.

About TheraPsil
TheraPsil is a non-profit organization committed to legalizing medical access to psychedelic therapy for patients in need. Established in 2019, TheraPsil champions the cause of regulated psychedelics, providing support for training, research, and clinical services in this groundbreaking field.

For more information, please contact:

John Gilchrist
Director of Communications
TheraPsil
john@therapsil.ca