Is Ayahuasca legal in Canada?

Legal status

In Canada the ayahuasca brew is a controlled substance because DMT (and harmalol/harmaline) are Schedule III under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and s.2(2) CDSA treats anything containing a controlled substance as controlled; BUT the preparation's status differs for specific religious bodies, as Health Canada has granted subsection 56(1) CDSA exemptions to named Santo Daime and Uniao do Vegetal churches (first to Ceu do Montreal and the UDV in 2017, with further churches added in 2019) permitting sacramental import and use.

Consequences if caught

Without a s.56(1) exemption, importing, possessing or distributing the ayahuasca brew is prosecuted as a DMT (Schedule III) offence; the exempted churches may lawfully import and administer the sacrament only within the terms of their individual exemptions.

If prescribed or medical

Ayahuasca is not a prescription drug; lawful access is via a ministerial s.56(1) exemption on religious/public-interest grounds rather than the medical system, and DMT itself has no marketed medical product in Canada.

Documentation

Section 56(1) CDSA gives the Minister of Health discretionary power to exempt persons where it is in the public interest (including religious freedom); the church-specific exemptions are the operative instruments legalising the ayahuasca sacrament.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Canada’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.