The Rhode Island House of Representatives approved a bill that legalized possession and cultivation of Psilocybin Mushrooms, as well as taking steps to prepare regulated therapeutic access in the interim of federal reform.
On Monday, the legislation of Rep. Brandon Potter, who cleared a crucial committee last week passed the floor with 54-11 votes, sending it to be considered by the Senate.
The Senate version, from Sen. Megan Kallman’s (D), also received a recent hearing in its respective committee. However, members agreed 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 psilocybin up to an ounce for personal use. 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.”
The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill last Thursday after adopting 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 on psychoedelics, in anticipation of policy reform.
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In the meantime, lawmakers are working actively to promote psychedelic reform in an increasing number of states.
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 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 a regulatory structure for legal 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.
Connecticut Recreational Marijuana sales reached record high in May, surpassing medical cannabis purchases for the first time
Photo courtesy Wikimedia/Mushroom Observer.
The article Rhode Island House passes bill to legalize psilocybin and prepare for regulated therapeutic access first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
