Psychedelics in the United States: breakthroughs in Hawaii, Virginia, New York...

Several U.S. states are working to change their laws regarding psychedelics. Here is an overview of the latest developments.

Hawaii is set to establish a task force on psilocybin for therapeutic use

Of the six psychedelic bills proposed in Hawaii in 2023, the SB 1454 is the only one approved to date.

The new measure calls for the creation of a working group on therapeutic psilocybin. This group will study the medical and therapeutic effects of psychedelics for treating anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new measure also includes a long-term strategic plan to ensure safe, affordable, and accessible access to psilocybin or psilocybin-based products for individuals aged 21 and older.

The bill was passed unanimously on February 6, after the Health and Social Services Committee held a public hearing at which veterans, advocates for drug policy reform, mental health professionals, and representatives from state agencies testified.

Lawmakers have recommended amendments to the original bill. For example, that the new working group be led by a representative from the’Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR) by the governor, rather than by the director of the Department of Health, and that an official be appointed to allocate funds to support the group’s activities.

The measure has garnered the support of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Green.

In the meantime, the SB I531 will hold its next public hearing on February 10. The measure aims to establish an advisory board tasked with reviewing, evaluating, and recommending new mental health treatments, including not only psilocybin but also MDMA.

The other four bills were referred back to committee.

Virginia officials must decide on the reclassification of psilocybin

The full Senate passed the SB 932 with 25 votes in favor and 15 against. The new measure calls for the creation of an advisory council on psilocybin and the reinstatement of the substance in state law.

Although psilocybin therapy is not currently legal, the new advisory board aims to establish therapeutic access to psilocybin services. It will also monitor and review federal laws, regulations, and policies related to psilocybin.

New York is considering reforming psychedelic drug laws

The the government's fourth proposal on psychedelics for the 2023 session calls for the legalization of medical psilocybin produced by a certified supplier in a controlled environment.

She would alsohas established a grant program enabling veterans, first responders, retired first responders, and low-income individuals to receive treatment with psilocybin or MDMA. The measure has been before the Senate Finance Committee since January 31.

New York lawmakers have also introduced bills to decriminalize and legalize psychedelic substances (A00114, in the Health Committee since January 4) and to pilot psilocybin- and MDMA-assisted therapy programs (Revised A8569A, still in committee).

They also presented a more recent Senate bill that decriminalizes the possession of personal amounts of drugs and establishes a working group to study other possible harm reduction reforms (S2340, referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 20).

Other psychedelic-related bills in the United States

West Virginia: a bill of law A bill aimed at removing psilocybin, cannabis, and THC from Schedule I of the state’s list of controlled substances was referred to the House Health and Human Resources Committee on January 24.

New Hampshire: the first bill of law aimed at legalizing the possession and use of psilocybin, mescaline, peyote, and LSD by adults over the age of 21 and reducing penalties for the manufacture, sale, and possession of LSD for those under 21, is still under review by the House Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety as of January 5.

A second bill of law calls for the removal of DMT from the state’s list of controlled substances and is currently before the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety, where an executive session will be held on February 10. Lawmakers will have until March 16 to vote on these two measures.

Missouri: A bill aimed at legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy for eligible patients upon a doctor’s recommendation was removed from the House schedule after a second reading on January 19 (with no hearing scheduled). This bill of law would also expand access to treatment for people over the age of 21, once psilocybin is reclassified at the federal level.

Massachusetts: bills HD 1450 and SD 949 are active in the current 2023 session. The goal is to decriminalize psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline for people over the age of 18. There is also a proposed law focused on harm reduction that would change the role of the state by replacing criminal penalties for drug possession with a health and needs assessment.

Illinois: the CURE Act, which establishes a state-wide psychedelic-assisted therapy programstatewide for people aged 18 and older and decriminalizes the possession of psilocybin, is currently under review by the State House Rules Committee after being referred on January 12.

Washington: A bipartisan effort to legalize psychedelic therapy for people aged 21 and older is the Psilocybin Wellness and Opportunity Act, which aims to improve overall physical, mental, and social well-being and to help treat behavioral disorders. The bill of law, which includes a social opportunity program aimed at including low-income communities, military veterans, and Indigenous peoples, is currently under review by the Committee on Labor and Commerce, where a public hearing was held on January 30.

Connecticut: a bill of law A motion calling for the legalization of psilocybin for therapeutic or medicinal purposes «including, but not limited to, the provision of physical, mental, or behavioral health care» has been before the Joint Committee on Public Health since January 9.

Arizona: A bill of law The bipartisan bill was read for the second time on January 23 and was finally referred to the MAPS Committee on February 1. This bill promotes research on psilocybin by providing grants of up to $30 million for clinical trials on the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on 13 different mental health conditions.

California: the latest attempt to decriminalize the possession and’personal use of certain psychedelics, sponsored by Senator Scott Wiener, was introduced on December 16, 2022. It received its first reading on January 4, 2023, and has been before the Public Safety Committee since January 18. This bill of law applies only to natural psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (not derived from peyote).