With the overall slowing down of progress on the marijuana front, it may be worth it to wade into the world of psychedelics and see where the bills stand in states across the country.
Taken as a whole, it really feels like we’re gearing up for a big wave of action to happen in the next couple years, especially once Oregon gets the ball rolling on it’s therapy program for psilocybin. So let’s start there!
Oregon
A big step in that direction happened yesterday when the regulators in Oregon approved the first growing license to a women-led business called Satori Farms PDX LLC. The mushrooms grown here will be used in the therapy programs across the state. As to when these will be ready for the public, it’s a little murky. 48 worker permits have been approved with many more to follow, but it’s looking like they won’t open to the public until next year. Nonetheless, progress is being made.
Read more at Marijuana Moment.
Colorado
Colorado famously voted to legalize a large amount of psychedelics in the midterms, and some progress is being made to make that happen. This week some nominees for a 15-member panel were approved by a Senate committee. Once they get approved, they’ll be able to develop rules and regulations for psilocybin “healing centers”. As for legalizing the rest of the psychedelics, it’s a little unclear where that stands, but some legislation should follow by the end of the year.
Read more here.
California
California has been a major tease on this front for years. However, some actual progress has been made this week. State Senator Scott Wiener, the man most responsible for keeping psychedelics in the consciousness of the Senate, has refiled his psychedelic legalization bill and it has already been approved by a State Senate committee. It will head to the Appropriations Committee next, where hopefully it’ll get passed with its shape in tact.
However, the bill comes with a major catch. Synthetic psychedelics, like LSD and MDMA, are not included. It entails only natural variations like psilocybin, ibogaine, DMT, and mescaline.
Read more here.
Task Forces
Then we have other states who are forming Task Forces to better study psychedelics. These states include Hawaii, Minnesota, and Washington state, with Missouri and Texas also ramping up research into the entheogens.
With a constant acceleration present, it seems like these states are also a few years behind some major legislation passing. As for now, keep your eyes on the three states up top making the most progress.