The Washington State Governor has signed a law to promote research on psilocybin, and to create a program that will allow therapeutic access to psychedelic to treat mental illness.
In a ceremony held on Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat from Washington State, signed the legislation of Sens. Jesse Salomon and Liz Lovelett, though he partially vetoed some sections that “nolonger align with the bill’s intent.”
was introduced earlier in this session and would have legalized psilocybin more broadly, allowing those 21 years old or older to access it under the supervision of licensed facilitators. The Senate committee watered it down to only include a taskforce and advisory group that would study the reform. These changes were reportedly made after the governor’s office complained about the scope of the initial bill.
Then, in the House, Rep. Nicole Macri, (D), modestly expanded legislation by adding her committee amendment. This allowed the University of Washington to offer a pilot program that would allow military veterans and first-responders to have access to psychedelics for the treatment of PTSD, mood disorders, and substance abuse disorders.
At around 36:05 in the video, you can see the Governor sign the Psilocbyin Bill:
According to the bill, the UW clinical program pilot will have to “offer psilocybin therapies through pathways approved by FDA (Federal Food and Drug Administration)”.
Inslee’s partial-veto has now made the law that governs the pilot program. However, Inslee’s partial-veto removed provisions which would have established a Psilocybin Work Group and Advisory Board. The section that created a Psilocybin Task Force separate from the pilot program was not vetoed.
The group was tasked with “developing a regulatory framework for a controlled psilocybin product system, including a method to ensure pesticide-free and clean psilocybin.” They also had to examine research and indigenous practices related to the psychedelic, and take steps to include a social program within any licensing system to “remedy the targeted enforcement on drug-related laws in overburdened community.”
The Governor’s veto removed certain sections that outlined the regulatory and research duties of the Departments of Health and Agriculture of the State, as well as of the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Some have criticized the reduced reform. They are concerned that it could be used as an excuse by lawmakers to postpone consideration of a more comprehensive legalization until the psilocybin research is completed.
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Inslee received a number of drug policy reform legislation during this session. This includes the legislation he signed in his last week authorizing marijuana commerce between states, pending federal policy changes.
The governor also signed into law a bill on Tuesday that will prevent workers from being subjected to employment discrimination in the hiring process because of their legal use of marijuana.
The governor also announced last week a special session of the legislature to prevent a decriminalization policy following a Supreme Court decision.
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Image by Kristie Gianpulos.
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