A Rhode Island House Committee has approved a measure that would legalize the possession and cultivation of Psilocybin Mushrooms, as well as taking steps to prepare regulated therapeutic access in anticipation of federal reform.
The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill on Tuesday with amendements. In March, the committee held an initial hearing to discuss the legislation by Rep. Brandon Potter.
The bill’s next stop will be on the House Floor.
A Senate companion version by Sen. Megan KALLMAN (D) was heard in the committee of that chamber last week. However, members decided to study it further before scheduling a possible vote in this chamber.
Starting July 1, the legislation will remove criminal penalties from possessing or cultivating up one ounce of Psilocybin. People can also share this amount with other adults.
The document also states that, in the event the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has already designated the psychedelic as a breakthrough treatment, decides to reschedule it, the Rhode Island Department of Health will “establish rules and regulations regarding cultivation, distribution and prescription for medical purposes.”
If the FDA were to expand its access program, then the State Department would need to approve locations that administer psilocybin “to patients with serious or life-threatening behavioral or mental health disorders, who do not have access to effective medication for mental or behavioral issues.”
Before voting on the bill, the members of the committee approved an modified version that added a sunset clause for July 1, 2025.
Before the sunset date of the measure, the state attorney general would be required to provide a detailed report detailing the number violations issued for psilocybin cultivation and possession.
The head of the Health Department would also need to submit to legislators a separate report that examines FDA psilocybin schedule and “permitted uses for the treatment or behavioral health disorders.”
Some expect that FDA will approve the therapeutic use psilocybin and MDMA within the next two years. Health officials in the Biden Administration are “exploring creating an task force focused upon psychedelics, in anticipation of policy reform.
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In the meantime, a growing number states have legislators actively working on psychedelics legislation.
Nevada’s legislator, for example, recently sent to the governor a bill that would establish a new group to study psychedelics as well as develop a plan allowing regulated access to therapeutic purposes.
Last month, the governor of Minnesota approved a bill with similar provisions that would establish a task force to study psychedelics and prepare Minnesota for possible legalization.
The California Senate passed a bill last month to legalize possession of certain psychedelics as well as facilitate the use of these substances.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a law last month to create an administrative framework for psychedelics in accordance with a voter-approved measure.
A North Carolina House Committee approved a bill last month to create a grant program of $5 million to support research on the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, and to create a Breakthrough Therapies Research Advisory Board.
The governor of Washington State signed a bill to encourage research into psilocybin, and to create a pilot program to provide therapeutic access for mental health treatments to the psychedelic.
In Rhode Island, in the year , the governor passed a law legalizing marijuana for adult use, and in December, the state’s first licensed retailers were opened.
New York Senate passes bill to allow marijuana businesses in New York City to take local tax deductions that are prohibited under federal law
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