CDSA Dealer's License

License Overview

For Legally Possessing And Conducting The Above Activities With Controlled Substances In Canada

  • Research organizations and companies must first need to obtain a controlled substances Dealer’s License 
  • Or a Section 56 exemption for researchers (veterinarians, physicians and other researchers associated with private industry and universities), requiring a controlled substance for research purposes that includes administration to animals, in vitro utilization, or human clinical trials.

A Dealer’s License Permits An Organization Or Company To Possess A Controlled Substance And Conduct Activities Specified By The License. These Activities Can Be 

 

  • Packaging
  • Production
  • Transportation
  • Sending
  • Distribution to other Dealer’s Licence Holders and medical patients who hold a Section 56 Exemption
  • Delivery
  • Laboratory analysis
  • Research & development
  • Clinical studies
  • Import/export
  • Distribution under special access program only
Remember that imports and export of controlled substances online are allowed only when the shipment is authorized by a permit issued by Health Canada. Only those with a valid controlled substances Dealer’s Licence can apply for the import/export permit. All Licensed Dealers need to have a secure environment to store the controlled substances as specified on their licence. The level of security needed for the secure environment is decided based on the geographical location of the site (indicated in the licence) as well as the type and entire quantity of controlled substances that will be stored on the premises at any given time. A licence is only issued after all CDSA prerequisites and its regulations are met.

A Dealer’s Licence will only be issued after Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances (OCS) reviews a complete licence application package and the facility inspection is conducted to ensure it adheres to the Directive and CDSA and its associated regulations.

The Office of Controlled Substances is committed to a service delivery standard of 270 calendar days to issue a decision on an application for a new Dealer’s Licence for controlled substances, from the date of receipt of a complete application. However, the time period to possess an application majorly depends on the submission of complete and accurate information.

Applications for a Dealer’s Licence need to submit the following:

  • Dealer’s Licence application form
  • Corporate documentation
  • Physical Security documents (floor plan, security template, security proposal)
  • Senior Person in Charge (SPIC) Identification
  • Identification of a Qualified Person in Charge (QPIC) and any alternates (A/QPIC)
  • Documents in support of the QPIC – e.g. curriculum vitae, copy of degree, course transcripts, Canadian equivalency (if required)
  • Description of record-keeping method
  • Criminal Record Check or Police Check for QPIC, SPIC, and A/QPICs if any
  • Fee payment (up to $5,288) if suitable, based on the substances that need to be listed on the licence

If you are considering securing a Dealer’s Licence to work with a controlled substance, reach out to us today and let us help you get you started on the way to success!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Psychedelics are not yet legal in Canada. Activities such as sale, possession, production, etc. of these substances are prohibited unless authorized under Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations

Not yet! To legally grow, possess and conduct activities with controlled substances such as psychedelic mushrooms in Canada, companies and research organizations must first obtain a controlled substances Dealer’s License (or a Section 56 exemption for researchers (physicians, veterinarians, and other researchers affiliated to universities and private industry).

A Dealer’s License authorizes a company or organization to possess a controlled substance and conduct activities specified by the license (such as production, packaging, sale, sending, transportation, delivery, laboratory analysis, research & development, clinical studies, import/export, or distribution under special access program only). A Dealer’s License will only be issued once a complete license application package has been reviewed by Health Canada’s Office of Controlled Substances (OCS), and an inspection of the facilities has been conducted to ensure compliance with the Directive and the CDSA and its associated regulations.

?? Not sure about this question

Yes! Cannabis License Experts can help you obtain a Dealer’s License which is required in order to possess a controlled substance (e.g. psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin, etc.) and conduct activities specified by the license (such as production, packaging, sale, sending, transportation, delivery, laboratory analysis, research & development, clinical studies, import/export or distribution under special access program only).

To legally possess and conduct activities with controlled substances, such as psychedelics, in Canada, companies and research organizations must first obtain a controlled substances Dealer’s License or a Section 56 exemption for researchers (physicians, veterinarians, and other researchers affiliated to universities and private industry).

You will need a designated facility/site location that is fully constructed in order to apply for a Dealer’s License and possess psychedelics. The size of the facility is up to you, but you should have designated areas for shipping/receiving controlled substances, a laboratory or research/development room(s), and a designated storage area with a secure environ. All Licensed Dealers are required to have a secure environ for the storage of the controlled substances indicated on their license. The security level required for the secure environ is determined by the geographical location of the site specified in the license as well as the type and total quantity of controlled substances to be stored on the premises at any given time.

Psychedelics are not yet legal in Canada, so they cannot be sold or distributed to the general public for the time being. Medical patients may be eligible for access to psychedelics for medical purposes via a clinical trial or Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP). Through the SAP, a healthcare practitioner would have to apply on their behalf of the patient and administer the psychedelics in a controlled manner.

Drugs containing psychedelics are not yet legal in Canada or the USA, however, programs are emerging in Canada to allow medical patients special access to drugs containing psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin) to help with serious or life-threatening medical conditions.

Psychedelics are not currently legal in the USA as it has not been regulated yet.

Drugs containing psychedelics are not yet legal in Canada or the USA, however, programs are emerging in Canada to allow medical patients special access to drugs containing psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin) to help with serious or life-threatening medical conditions.

It’s hard to say if and when psychedelics will be legalized. In Canada, we are only now seeing small steps forward to allow medical patients with serious or life threatening medical conditions access to these types of controlled substances.

In Canada, we are only now seeing small steps forward to allow medical patients with serious or life threatening medical conditions access to these types of controlled substances.

The popularity of psychedelics has certainly skyrocketed in recent years. After the legalization of cannabis, many have been hopeful that psychedelics will follow a similar legalization pathway to allow medical patients access to drugs containing psilocybin to help treat symptoms and side effects of serious illnesses.

Taking magic mushrooms may cause you to see, hear or feel things that are not there, or to experience anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to “bad trips” or “flashbacks”.

At this time, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in Canada or elsewhere. There is ongoing research looking at the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. Health Canada encourages Canadians seeking support for these disorders to talk with their health care provider about options available to them.

Taking magic mushrooms may cause you to see, hear or feel things that are not there, or to experience anxiety, fear, nausea and muscle twitches accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to “bad trips” or “flashbacks”.

There is ongoing research looking at the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. Health Canada encourages Canadians seeking support for these disorders to talk with their health care provider about options available to them.

Psychedelics are known to help treat symptoms and side effects of serious and life-threatening conditions. There is ongoing research looking at the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use.