2023 has started off as a good year for psychedelic decriminalization.
The year started with Oregon implementing its legalized psilocybin therapy programs, and a few days later, the state of New York announced a bill to legalize some psychedelics for adults 21 and older.
Continuing the trend, we have several other states introducing psychedelic decriminalization measures.
Washington State psychedelic decriminalization
Senators in Washington State have come together in a bipartisan group to introduce a bill that would legalize psilocybin services for adults.
The “Psilocybin Services Wellness and Opportunity Act” was filed with 20 cosponsors from both pirates, proposing to legalize and regulate psilocybin for adults 21 and older.
The new bill would: “facilitate the establishment of safe, legal, and affordable psilocybin service centers to provide citizens of Washington who are at least 21 years of age with opportunities for supported psilocybin experiences for wellness and personal growth..”
“…reduce the prevalence of behavioral health disorders among adults in this state by providing for supported adult use of psilocybin under the supervision of a trained and licensed psilocybin service facilitator,” it says.
The bill already has 20 Senators on board.
The Psilocybin Wellness and Opportunity Act is once again 🔔 LIVE! With🚨*20*🚨 co-sponsors! This is huge.
Can we get 1k comments in support of the bill? 📢https://t.co/6bnsJITwDc
Like and share, don't let the Washington State gov ignore this! #waleg— Psychedelic Medicine Alliance WA (@pma_wa) January 11, 2023
Illinois Psychedelic Therapy Program
Illinois started its 2023 legislative session with a proposal for psychedelic reform. The first bill introduced in 2023 was the Compassionate Use and Research of Entheogens Act, or the “CURE Act”.
The legislation, introduced by Democrat La Shawn Ford, would establish a regulated psychedelic therapy program, allowing adults ages 18 and older to legally seek psychedelic therapy from a trained facilitator at a licensed service center. The bill also removes criminal penalties for psilocybin, the psychoactive substance found in psychedelic mushrooms.
From Ford’s press release: “I’ve been seeing more and more legitimate scientific evidence, including information coming from the FDA, showing that psychedelic therapy is not only safe, but also very effective, particularly for the toughest patients for whom other treatments have not worked. At the same time, I am also hearing from patients and from their medical providers, that Illinoisans should have access to these exciting new treatment options…”
Virginia seeks magic mushroom reform
A new bill introduced by Del. Dawn Adams (D-Richmond) would legalize citizens of Virginia to possess psilocybin with a valid prescription or medical practitioner’s order “for treatment of refractory depression or post-traumatic stress disorder or to ameliorate end-of-life anxiety.”
The bill would also lower punishment for carrying unprescribed psilocybin from 10 years in prison to a Class 2 misdemeanor and with up to 30 days in jail.
Lawmakers began debating the proposal during the launching of the 2023 Virginia General Assembly session this week.
