Nova ScotiaA 52-year-old Nova Scotia man who conducted spiritual ceremonies using a psychedelic brew originating from South America faced a sentencing hearing Monday, acknowledging he’d violated Canadian law but telling a judge how the substance known as ayahuasca has profoundly reshaped his life.Michael Adzich describes how ayahuasca has profoundly changed his lifeMichael Adzich, who pleaded guilty to charges involving N,N-dimethyltryptamine, a crucial component of the psychedelic ayahuasca, is shown Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Dartmouth, N.S. (Richard Cuthbertson/CBC)A Nova Scotia man who conducted spiritual ceremonies using a psychedelic brew from South America faced a sentencing hearing Monday, acknowledging he’d violated Canadian law but telling a judge how the substance known as ayahuasca has profoundly reshaped his life.Michael Adzich, 52, was charged in November 2022 with illegally importing N,N-dimethyltryptamine, a hallucinogenic contained in ayahuasca, following an RCMP raid during a ceremony at his yurt located in woods outside Annapolis Royal, N.S. “It’s in my hope that the spirit of ayahuasca in some way has been illuminated in your courtroom,” Adzich told Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Josh Arnold. “And with respect I ask the court to consider the sincerity in my words shared here today.”Adzich initially challenged the charges on religious freedom grounds, but abandoned that constitutional argument in May and instead pleaded guilty to possession for the purpose of trafficking and importation of N,N-dimethyltryptamine.More than 30 supporters attended court on Monday in Dartmouth, N.S. The defence has referenced more than four dozen letters of support submitted to the court, many of them from people who have taken part in ayahuasca ceremonies facilitated by Adzich.Many of those letters, including from veterans, survivors of sexual assault and health professionals, outlined the “spiritual and healing space” Adzich provided, and how he helped improve their health and well-being, according to a defence legal brief.The defence has emphasized that safety was a priority at Adzich’s ceremonies, with participants, who were charged about $250 a night, screened for health conditions.Supporters of Adzich are shown outside the courtroom Monday. (Richard Cuthbertson/CBC)But federal prosecutor Glen Scheuer argued Monday that ayahuasca was a “potent drug” that has the potential for serious side-effects and is more powerful than psilocybin, another illegal psychedelic commonly known as magic mushrooms.The prosecution is seeking a conditional sentence of 18 months to two years that includes house arrest. The defence is seeking a conditional discharge, which would mean no criminal record if Adzich successfully follows certain conditions. Arnold, the judge in the case, will issue his decision in mid-October.In Canada, religious organizations can seek exemptions from drug laws in order to legally use ayahuasca, and a dozen or so have received such permission from Health Canada. Adzich, however, did not begin the process of seeking an exemption until after he was charged.Adzich told the court Monday he first attended an ayahuasca ceremony in 2009, and it helped him deal with his alcohol abuse. He said he felt an “insurmountable weight had been lifted from the core of my being.” He went on to study with masters from an Amazonian people called the Shipibo. Adzich, who is not Indigenous, said he has not facilitated any ceremonies since his arrest in 2022. Being prevented from doing so has created a “spiritual injury,” he said, but the drug charges have meant he’s not been able to travel to Peru to treat it.Ayahuasca importationAs an aggravating factor in the case, the prosecution pointed to the unwitting participation of Adzich’s former girlfriend in New York City, Linda Doyle. Adzich had arranged for ayahuasca to be sent to her apartment and asked her to mail it to him in Nova Scotia, but he told her the package was tobacco and “flower waters.”Doyle was arrested. She told officers she disapproved of ayahuasca and had refused a previous request from Adzich to have it shipped to her apartment. He knew she had started a job with the New York City Police Department, and she worried the arrest could jeopardize it.Scheuer described Adzich’s use of Doyle as “predatory,” and said it is hard to reconcile the numerous letters from supporters who describe him as a man of integrity.”One is left with the conclusion that Mr. Adzich’s honesty is a matter of convenience and an assessment of what is to his benefit,” Scheuer said.In his statement to the court, Adzich said he wanted to “express my deep remorse” for the circumstances involving Doyle. He said he needed the ayahuasca for an upcoming ceremony, but didn’t tell her the contents of the package in order to “protect her from being complicit with my actions.””I spoke with Linda after my arrest where I had the opportunity to make my apology and express my shame and explain the circumstances,” he said. “The feeling was received with grace and understanding because of our long history.”ABOUT THE AUTHORRichard Cuthbertson is a journalist with CBC Nova Scotia. He can be reached at richard.cuthbertson@cbc.ca.
N.S. man who conducted ceremonies using psychedelic faces sentencing
