A bill that would allow veterans with certain conditions to legally use psilocybin for therapeutic purposes has cleared a key Missouri House committee.
Dried psilocybin mushrooms (photo credit: Shutterstock).
The House Rules – Legislative Oversight Committee has voted 8 to 0 to pass House Bill 829, a measure sponsored by State Representative Richard West (R).
HB 829 would provide legal protections for veterans aged 21 and older who use psilocybin to treat conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, substance use disorder, or who are receiving end-of-life care. To qualify, veterans would need to enroll in a study, notify the Department of Mental Health, and use the substance only under the supervision of a trained and licensed facilitator. The amount used would be limited to no more than 150 milligrams of psilocybin analyte per year.
The measure would also establish a $2 million grant fund for research on psilocybin’s effectiveness in treating the listed conditions and require the state to conduct a study in collaboration with a hospital or research organization.
The legislation includes broad protections for participants, facilitators, and physicians, shielding them from criminal, civil, or professional penalties so long as all guidelines are followed. It also mandates that all psilocybin used be tested by a state-licensed lab.
The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.
