Legislation to create a task force designed to research psilocybin and create a pathway to full legalization while establishing a pilot program for supervised psilocybin use has been passed by a key House committee in Washington State.
The House Appropriations Committee has voted in favor of 2nd Substitute Senate Bill 5263 (23 to 8), filed by Senator Jesse Salomon along with a coalition of 21 bipartisan cosponsors. The measure has already passed the full Senate 41 to 7, but will need to go back for an additional vote before it can be sent to Governor Jay Inslee given it was amended by a House committee.
The measure establishes a legal framework for supervised psilocybin use for medical and therapeutic use, while establishing the Washington Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Health in order to research the substance and create a pathway towards legalization. The Senate amended the bill to only include the research provisions, but a House committee amended it further to allow for supervised psilocybin use but with a more limited approach than the original text of the bill.
Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms”.
“The bill as it stands takes very thoughtful steps towards a way that we as a state can consider a regulatory framework,” said Representative Nicole Macri, who put forth the amendment in the House to again allow psilocybin use. “I like that the advisory group will come back with recommendations to the legislature next session and that, with this pilot that we have added to it, can gain more insight into the applicability of this service.” She notes that “this bill started out in the Senate in a far more ambitious way.”
The text of the bill states that “The legislature intends to establish an advisory board, interagency work group, and a task force to provide advice and recommendations on developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for access to regulated psilocybin for Washington residents who are at least 21 years of age.” The measure would “develop a long-term strategic plan for ensuring that psilocybin services become and remain a safe, accessible, and affordable option for all persons 21 years of age and older in this state for whom psilocybin may be appropriate.”
The full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.
