Rhode Island prepares to legalize psilocybin and its therapeutic access

A committee of the Rhode Island House of Representatives has approved a bill that would legalize the possession and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms, while taking steps to ensure access to treatment pending federal reform.

The House Judiciary Committee, which held its first hearing on Democratic Representative Brandon Potter’s bill in March, passed the bill with amendments in a 12-2 vote on Tuesday.

The next step for the bill will be the House of Representatives.

Last week, the relevant Senate committee heard the corresponding version of the bill introduced by Democratic Senator Megan Kallman, but the members decided to set it aside for further review before scheduling a possible vote on the floor.

The legislation would eliminate criminal penalties for the possession and cultivation of up to one ounce (28 grams) of psilocybin for personal use, and individuals would also be able to share that amount with other adults, effective July 1.

The law also provides that, if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency responsible for food and drugs, is reevaluating the psychedelic, which the agency has already designated as a breakthrough therapy, and the Rhode Island Department of Health «will establish rules and regulations regarding cultivation, distribution, and medical prescription.».

If the FDA were to expand its access program, the State Department would also have to authorize sites to administer psilocybin to «patients suffering from a serious or life-threatening mental or behavioral disorder who do not have access to effective mental or behavioral health medications.».

According to The Intercept, the FDA could approve the therapeutic use of psilocybin, as well as MDMA, within the next year or two. Health officials in the Biden administration are considering establishing a working group on psychedelics in anticipation of a possible reform of federal policy.