A group of Washington State lawmakers, led by Senator Jesse Salomon, has introduced Senate Bill 5201, which would legalize the use of psilocybin for therapeutic purposes.
The bill, backed by eight cosponsors, has been referred to the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee for further consideration.
If enacted, the legislation would establish a regulated framework allowing licensed facilitators to administer psilocybin in controlled, supervised settings. The proposed program is modeled after Oregon’s pioneering psilocybin therapy law and aims to provide a pathway for individuals seeking treatment for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Under the bill, the Washington State Department of Health would oversee the program, with guidance from a newly formed Psychedelic Substances Board. The board’s responsibilities would include advising on the development of licensing requirements and safety protocols for service centers, facilitators, and manufacturers. The program would begin a two-year development phase on September 1, 2025, with the first licenses expected to be issued in late 2027.
To ensure public safety, the legislation outlines strict regulations for the production, testing, and storage of psilocybin. Only licensed facilities and professionals would be allowed to handle the substance, and all administration sessions would require the presence of a trained facilitator. The bill also mandates cultural competence in service delivery and protects client privacy.
Importantly, Senate Bill 5201 does not legalize psilocybin for recreational use. Its provisions are strictly limited to therapeutic and medical settings, making it distinct from broader decriminalization efforts.
Senator Salomon described the bill as a vital step toward providing Washington residents with access to innovative mental health treatments. “This legislation is about offering new hope to people struggling with mental health conditions by creating a safe, regulated environment for psilocybin therapy,” he said.
The bill has sparked interest among mental health advocates, researchers, and industry stakeholders, many of whom cite growing evidence of psilocybin’s efficacy in treating a range of psychological conditions. If passed, Washington would join Oregon and Colorado in creating a state-regulated system for psilocybin services.
With bipartisan support and growing public awareness of psilocybin’s therapeutic potential, Senate Bill 5201 could mark a significant milestone in Washington’s approach to mental health care.
