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.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Republicans are getting into the psychedelic reform movement. A new bill from Rep. Kevin Verville (R) would legalize the possession and use of psychedelics by adults 21 and older.
The legislation, HB 328-FN, proposes that “possession or use of a hallucinogenic drug by a person 21 years of age or older shall not be an offense.”
The bill has been sent to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee for review.
Missouri
Another Republican, this time in Missouri, has filed a bill to provide therapeutic access to psilocybin for people with serious mental health conditions.
The proposed bill, HB 969, would allow psilocybin therapy for qualifying patients in need. Rep. Tony Lovasco (R) introduced the bill which would provide patients access to psilocybin for the treatment of PTSD, depression, terminal illness, or other conditions (if approved by regulators).
The bill does not legalize psilocybin, instead providing legal protections for patients, doctors, caregivers and professionals.
Washington State
Senators in Washington State have come together in a bipartisan group to introduce a bill
that would provide psychedelic decriminalization 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
Arizona
In Arizona, a bipartisan group of lawmakers filed a bill promoting psilocybin research.
The legislation, HB 2486, was proposed by Reps. Jennifer Longdon (D), Kevin Payne (R), Sen. T. J. Shope (R), and Stacey Travers (D) would allocate $30 million for psilocybin research and establish a psilocybin research advisory council. The aim is to study how psilocybin can help on over a dozen different conditions like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse.
The research and related grants could also be used for FDA clinical trials.
