Indiana’s full Senate has given overwhelming approval to a bill to fund psilocybin research.
Dried psilocybin mushrooms. (Photo credit: Rich Townsend/Getty Images)
In an overwhelming 47 to 1 vote, the Indiana Senate has voted to pass a bill that would fund clinical trials on the potential benefits of consuming psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms.
“This bill provides hope to many individuals that are today in a hopeless situation,” Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R), the bill’s sponsor, said ahead of the floor vote. “I hope you feel the same and will vote for this bill.”
Although the measure was put forth by Republicans, Democrat Minority Leader Senator Greg Taylor praised the bill, calling it “a very, very important piece of legislation”, saying this it “could provide some really significant relief to a lot of Hoosiers here in the state of Indiana.”
The measure now heads to the Senate. Approval through that chamber will send the bill to Governor Eric Holcomb.
If passed into law, Indiana would provide funds for the purpose of providing financial assistance to research institutions in Indiana to study the “use of psilocybin to treat mental health and other medical conditions.” Research funds would be overseen by the Department of Health, and researchers must study the use of psilocybin on one of six conditions including PTSD and anxiety. Other conditions include bipolar disorder, chronic pain, migraines and depression.
The measure would require the state to have a process in place for issuing funds by July 1.
