Today, Washington’s House Health Care & Wellness Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1433, a measure to legalize medical psilocybin in a highly regulated manner.
Dried psilocybin mushrooms (photo credit: Shutterstock).
Filed by State Representative Nicole Macri (D) with 29 sponsors, HB 1433 would allow those with a physician recommendation to use psilocybin. The bill would create a structured framework allowing licensed facilitators to administer psilocybin in supervised settings. The Washington State Department of Health and Liquor and Cannabis Board would oversee the program, with input from a newly formed Psychedelic Substances Board responsible for developing licensing requirements and safety protocols.
Senate Bill 5201, a companion bill to HB 1433, is scheduled for a public hearing at 8am February 6 in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
The legislation sets a two-year development timeline starting September 1, 2025, with licensing expected to begin by late 2027. Psilocybin production, testing, and distribution would be tightly regulated, restricted to licensed facilities and professionals. Therapy sessions would require a trained facilitator, with an emphasis on cultural competence to ensure accessibility and safety.
The proposal does not allow recreational use, limiting psilocybin strictly to therapeutic purposes.
During today’s public hearing, numerous people spoke in favor of the measure, including two military veterans and a survivor of sex trafficking who argued that psilocybin has helped them with their PTSD, a spokesperson for the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys who said it would help end the pain associated with criminalizing psilocybin, and several others.
Although many spoke in support, four members of the pro-psychedelic decrim group REACH WA spoke in opposition to the bill, saying that it will lead to expensive sessions while doing nothing to actually remove criminal penalties for accessing, possessing or sharing psilocybin.
In direct contrast to these remarks —though on the same side as they also oppose the bill—two different speakers argued that the measure is a “recreational” bill disguised as a medical bill, and thus lawmakers should oppose it.
Also opposed to the bill was the Psychedelic Medicine Alliance of Washington, saying the bill “does not adequality address access issues such a affordability”. This was a sentiment shared by several other speakers, including registered nurse Angela Ward, who argued that the committee should amend the bill to allow all adults to legally possess and obtain psilocybin.
Speaking in support of the bill was the Washington Retail Association, with a spokesperson arguing that it could help improve public safety and reduce retail theft due to its potential to help address mental health issues.
The hearing concluded with multiple speakers saying they support the concept of the bill, but say the committee should first amend it to include language that decriminalizes the personal possession and use of psilocybin.
