Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed into law legislation that allocates millions of dollars for the research of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms.
(Getty Images)
Governor Hobbs signed the measure into law a mere hours after the legislature gave it approval.
Specifically, the Department of Health Services (DHS) will distribute $5 million in fiscal year 2023-2024 for “whole mushroom psilocybin phase one, phase two and phase three clinical trials that are capable of being approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)”. The trial must be for the use to treat one of 13 listed medical conditions which includes PTSD, anxiety and long-COVID.
“The GOP has often fought for medical freedom, opposing FDA overregulation and pushing for ‘Right-to-try’ laws,” said Representative Kevin Payne (R) in a press release. Payne served as the primary sponsor for the psilocybin provision. “Arizonans, especially veterans, deserve alternatives to dangerous and addictive prescriptions. This bill will help.”
Earlier this year a standalone bill to provide funding for psilocybin research was passed out of its initial committee unanimously. However, sponsors of the bill agreed to have it attached to a budget bill that would be voted on later in the session. The funding was subsequently dropped from $30 million over three years to a total of $5 million.
The measure would also establish a Psilocybin Research Advisory Council within the DHS which will be tasked with overseeing the grants.
