A senator from Illinois has introduced legislation to legalize the use of psilocybin in Illinois and to allow adults to access the drug in a controlled setting at service centers. The program will also include the use of mescaline and ibogaine.
Rachel Ventura, a Democratic Senator from California, filed the Compassionate Research and Use of Entheogens Act (CURE) earlier this month. The bill is currently awaiting committee assignment.
Ventura stated in a release that “as mental health issues rise across our state and country, it is imperative to acknowledge conventional treatments do not always suffice.” “Psilocybin is a promising solution for people with PTSD or other mental disorders. The results of the ongoing trials and research are encouraging.
The bill would remove psilocybin and psilocyn as controlled substances in Illinois and create an Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board, under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. This board will make recommendations regarding licensing of service centers and programs of training for psilocybin facilitators.
The advisory board will also be responsible for preparing “proposed rules” that add DMT, ibogaine and mescaline to the list of substances to be legalized under the program. The program would require them to comply by July 1, 2027.
The bill claims that one of its goals is to “institute a public health approach and harm reduction to natural medicines, by removing criminal sanctions for possession of certain entheogens by adults 18 years or older for personal use,” but it appears to be limited to removing the psilocybin list of banned substances for now.
La Shawn Ford, a Democratic Representative from Illinois, introduced a version CURE Act in the Illinois House last year. Ford and Ventura are now working together on the proposal.
Ford stated that “prohibition is bad public policy, and it’s dangerous to public health.” I’m proud to be working with Senator Ventura on a bill to help veterans with PTSD, and other people seeking therapy for life challenges.
The legislation also provides automatic expungement for prior convictions of psilocybin, 180 days after its enactment.
Psilocybin used in the service centers will be taxed at 15 percent. Springfield State Journal Register reported that Ventura estimates the average cost per product to be between $35 and $40.
The Department of Public Health will be responsible for education and the Department of Agriculture will oversee psilocybin.
The Illinois Psychedelic Society and Law Enforcement Action Partnership are both endorsing the bill.
Dave Franco, retired Chicago police officer, and LEAP representative said that the organization “recognizes” this bill as “nothing short of life-saving.”
He said that “providing a proven way for people to work their traumas out and live happier, healthy, and more productive” lives was a good thing. The benefits of mental and behavioral health may also have a significant impact on public health and safety.
Jean Lacy of the Illinois Psychedelic Society said that “the demand for therapeutic psychedelic retreats and experiences is far exceeding the supply of psychedelic therapists and practitioners.”
She said, “We ask that Illinois lawmakers not allow unnecessary barriers to stand in the path of safe, compassionate and quality assurance in psychedelic medicine.” Illinois has an opportunity to set standards for other states by creating training centers, creating standards of care and being a role model.
Lacy stated that the mental health crisis in Illinois is on the rise and it would be a grave mistake to deny these medications to those who are in need.
Ventura, Senate sponsor, stated that supporters “are dedicated to eliminating obstacles to Illinois healing.”
She said that she hoped plant medicines would lose their stigma as more options become available to the public and be accepted for their beneficial and safe qualities.
Illinois is among a growing number of states that are reforming psychedelics this session. The focus of the legislation will be on access and research in a therapeutic setting.
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A second Arizona Senate Committee approved on Monday a bipartisan measure that would allow psychedelic to be administered in medically-supervised settings. The bill was then sent to the full Senate.
Last week, a Senate Committee in Alaska advanced a bill to create a taskforce to investigate how to license and regulate psychedelic assisted therapy . This is to prepare for eventual federal legalization.
Hawaii lawmakers are also advancing a bill that would give some legal protections for patients who engage in psilocybin assisted therapy after a doctor’s approval.
Last week, the New Mexico Senate passed a bipartisan measure that asked state officials to research the therapeutic potentials of psilocybin as well as explore the creation of regulatory frameworks to allow access to psychedelics.
A Republican-led Indiana House committee voted last week to approve a bill that funds clinical research trials on psilocybin. The bill has already been approved by the Senate.
Recently, bipartisan California legislators introduced a bill that would legalize psychedelic services centers, where adults aged 21 and over could have access to psilocybin MDMA mescaline DMT and other psychedelics in a supervised environment and with trained facilitators.
Last month, a joint Nevada legislative committee heard expert testimony and public testimony about the therapeutic potential for 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.
The Governor of Massachusetts recently promoted the testimony from activists who spoke out in support of her veterans’ bill. This bill would, among other things, create a work group for psychedelics to investigate the therapeutic potentials of substances like psilocybin.
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.
Last month, a Missouri House Committee considered a proposed that would allow the medical use of Psilocybin within the state as well as mandate clinical trials to explore the therapeutic potential.
A second Arizona Senate committee approves a bill to legalize Psilocybin service centers, sending it to the floor
Image by Kristie Gianpulos.
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