Psychedelics Reform Update: Rhode Island's Bipartisan Bill, Montana Proposal Gutted And More

While federal regulations advance at a comparatively mild pace, states across the US are running their local reforms, with some moving forward quickly. Latest advancements as of March 31:

• Rhode Island: Bipartisan S0806 amending state laws to legalize possession of up to 1 ounce of psilocybin, home cultivation for personal use and the establishment of rules for distribution and medical prescription was introduced on March 23 and referred to the Senate Judiciary, where it currently sits. 

• Connecticut: HB 6734 decriminalizing possession of up to 0.5 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms was green-lighted at the House’s Judiciary joint committee on March 30 and was filed with the Legislative Commissioner's Office.

• Washington: After a public hearing, SB 5263’s newest amendments reinserting psilocybin access provisions for certain cases were approved by the House’s Health Care & Wellness committee. The bill otherwise mandates advancing research and the establishment of an advisory board toward a psilocybin task force. It was referred to the appropriations committee. 

• Massachusetts: New H3605 calling the Public Health Dept. to establish procedures for granting licenses to psilocybin facilitators was introduced in the House on March 30 and referred to the joint committee on Public Health, joining existing psychedelics reform bills.

• Hawaii: After a hearing and amendments to the original text, the Senate’s HHS committee approved HB 1340 creating an advisory council for potential regulations for the provision of psychedelic-assisted therapies with psilocybin and MDMA. Meanwhile, a Health Dept. representative stated that de-scheduling (legalizing) both psychedelics would create “a more meaningful community conversation on access than a working group.”

• Nevada: The Senate’s HHS committee held a hearing on SB 242 legalizing possession of six ounces of psilocybin for people over 21 and discussed further amendments including the removal of therapeutic use provisions such as protections for individuals participating in psilocybin and MDMA studies and calling on the state to establish a study group, first reported Marijuana Moment.

• Missouri: HB 1154 legalizing psilocybin therapy for certain cases, expanding the state’s Right to Try statute and funding research was given initial approval by the full chamber after an amended version was presented on March 29, and now sits waiting for a final House vote before heading to the Senate.

Not all is great news though. For instance, in Montana, the latest HB 955 would have legalized psilocybin therapy for certain conditions and created a fully regulated framework. Although after being introduced in the House on March 29 and  getting a hearing at the HS committee, it got tabled a day later by unanimous vote. 

Also in Hawaii, two Senate resolutions establishing a “Beneficial Treatments Advisory Council” - SCR69 and SR62 - were deferred at the HHS committee after hearings on March 24.

Photo: Benzinga edit with photo by Alexander_Volkov and canbedone on Shutterstock.