A new bill in Congress has been introduced to prevent federal intervention in jurisdictions which legalize psilocybin mushroom.
The Validating Independence for State Initiatives on Organic Natural Substances Act (VISIONS Act) is sponsored by Reps. Robert Garcia, (D-CA), and Earl Blumenauer, (DOR).
The two-page bill simply states that federal funds cannot be used to prevent any state or local government unit from implementing their own laws which authorize the use of, distribution, sales, possession, research or cultivation of Psilocybin.
This is similar to the protections that are in place for medical cannabis programs at state level, which have been implemented annually by appropriations riders.
In a Wednesday press release, Garcia stated that “current federal law is behind the growing body evidence that suggests the psychedelic treatments that psilocybin provides can provide relief to those suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental disorders.”
He said that “here in the U.S., we have countless law enforcement and military veterans whose lives have improved thanks to these pioneering treatments.” “The potential benefits from psilocybin were overlooked for years. My aim is to protect areas and states who want to explore the real progress that this treatment can offer to people in their community.”
Blumenauer, who’s state was the first in the nation to legalize regulated psilocybin access through a ballot initiative approved by voters in 2020, stated that the federal government had for far too long “perpetuated a broken, unworkable system” that denied patients the therapeutic potential of the psilocybin.
The congressman stated that it was time for the federal governments to stop interfering with states like Oregon, who are making great progress.
This bill is also timely for Garcia’s home state of California. There, lawmakers have sent a bill that would allow adults over 21 to possess and cultivate certain psychedelics.
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
This session, the issue of reforming psychedelics policy has been a constant in Congress.
The GOP-controlled House Rules Committee approved two amendments on psychedelics as part of an extensive spending bill for the Department of Defense. However, it blocked other marijuana-related proposals.
Blumenauer and Rep. Nancy Mace, (R-SC), filed a bill in March to clarify that the federal “Right to Try,” (RTT), laws allow seriously ill patients to access Schedule I drugs , including marijuana, psychedelics such as psilocybin, and MDMA.
Food and Drug Administration is facilitating research on psychedelic therapy. The FDA has not only designated MDMA and psilocybin as “breakthrough treatments,” but it has also released the first ever draft guidance for scientists on how to best study these entheogenic compounds in the interest drug development.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIDA, also called earlier this month for research on the impacts of changing laws surrounding psychedelics. This includes the effects of allowing controlled access to substances such as psilocybin.
NIDA announced separately in May that they are soliciting proposals for a series research initiatives to explore the use of psychedelics to treat drug abuse, and plan to fund relevant studies with $1.5 million.
In May, Volkow informed members of a Senate Committee that new evidence is emerging that psychedelics have “significant potential” to treat certain mental conditions. This topic is “of great interest” to researchers.
Last year, Sens. Brian Schatz, D-HI and Cory Booker, D-NJ, urged top federal officials to give an update on studies into the therapeutic potentials of psychedelics. They argued that federal prohibition had stymied research.
NIDA’s response to the question was that the federal prohibition made it harder to study the benefits of psychedelics and required researchers to jump through extra regulatory hoops. Volkow said previously that she hesitates personally to study Schedule I drug due to these complications.
In 2021, the director told Marijuana Moment that researchers should prioritize psychedelics research because more people will use the substances as they are exposed to studies that show their therapeutic potential.
Below, you can read the version of the VISONS Act:
Here is the new Marijuana Banking bill text that Senators negotiated as committee prepares to vote next week
The article Congressional lawmakers file new bill to protect states that legalize psilocybin from federal intervention first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
