Maryland lawmakers are considering creating a taskforce to examine and make recommendations on the best way to regulate and legalize certain psychedelics.
The bill from Del. Guy Guzzone, a Democrat from New York City and five other co-sponsors will establish the “Task Force for Responsible Use of Natural Psychoactive Substances”, under the Department of Health.
Maryland’s legislation is unique in that it specifies what its members are required to research and recommend policy on. For example, “systems for statewide online sale of natural psychedelics with home delivery.”
The task force will need to include four members of the Maryland Cannabis Administration appointed by the leadership of the Maryland legislature, five secretaries of state agencies or their designees, and 15 positions appointed by the governor, including those with backgrounds in law enforcement, public health and drug policy reform advocacy.
The study would include existing laws relating to psychedelics and opportunities to “maximize the public benefits of responsibly accessing and using natural psychedelic compounds,” as well as risks and ways to mitigate risk, obstacles to access in the health care system, and more.
The panel will need to present a report with recommendations and findings to the Governor and Legislature by December 15, 2025. These recommendations should include creating a “Natural Psychedelic License” to regulate access to psilocybin and DMT that are not derived naturally from peyote.
The recommendations for psychedelics regulation should also relate to “growing natural substances psychedelic in accordance with agriculture safety standards” as well as “testing, packaging and labeling requirements for products that contain natural psychedelics with accurate and clear labeling of potency.”
The task force is required to make recommendations on “the sale and taxation” of natural psychedelics substances.
Members would then need to take into consideration “restricting sales of natural psychedelics substances to Natural Psychedelic Permit Holders,” “systems of reasonable taxation and sale of natural psychedelics substances to cover the costs of a Maryland Natural Psychedelic Access Program,” “systems of support for statewide online sales with home delivery,” and “options available to retail stores who sell natural psychedelics substances in local communities and choose to participate in online sales and home delivery.”
The panel will also need to look into criminal justice reforms relating to psychedelics. This includes decriminalizing activities that are non-violent and involve entheogenic drugs, expunging criminal records related to previous psychedelics use, and releasing those currently in prison for psychedelics.
The bill, if passed into law, would go into effect on July 1, 2020 and expire on June 30, 2026.
Maryland lawmakers have shown a willingness for psychedelics reform. In 2022, the Maryland legislature passed a bill to create a fund that would allow military veterans with post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries to access substances such as psilocybin MDMA, and ketamine “cost-free”. Former Republican Governor allowed the legislation to become law without his signature.
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In the 2024 legislative sessions, lawmakers in several states will be exploring reforms relating to psychedelics.
A Maine House Committee is currently considering a bill that would legalize the use of psilocybin by adults in licensed facilities, while also ending criminalization for personal possession and use of the drug.
The governor of Massachusetts promoted on Tuesday the testimony of activists in support of her veteran-focused bill, which would, among other things, create a work group for psychedelics to investigate the therapeutic potentials of substances like psilocybin.
Nevada advocates are continuing to push for psychedelics legislation. A joint legislative committee hosted a hearing last week , with public and expert testimony on the therapeutic benefits of substances such as psilocybin . Law enforcement officials also expressed their concerns about legalization. However, there was a notable acknowledgment that reforms could be implemented including rescheduling.
New York legislators recently introduced a bill to create pilot program for psilocybin treatment to 10,000 people. The focus is on veterans and first responders.
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