Maryland House committees are considering two bills that would create task forces for the study of psychedelics and drug decriminalization.
The House Health and Government Operations Committee heard a testimony on Wednesday on the proposed legislation on psychedelics, and the Judiciary Committee discussed the proposal for drug decriminalization on Tuesday.
The psychedelics legislation from Del. Pam Guzzone’s (D) bill, as it was introduced, would create a Task Force on Responsible Usage of Natural Psychedelics within the Department of Health. The sponsor stated that the Maryland Cannabis Administration would be responsible for overseeing the task force, following consultation with that agency.
Members will study the issue and provide specific recommendations on how to regulate and legalize psilocybin and DMT that are not derived naturally from peyote.
“I have often thought that this is not someone I would think of as a person to introduce the bill. Guzzone stated that she was a suburban woman who had graying hair, reading glasses and did not have any significant health issues. “But I’m asking for a positive report on a Bill to establish a Task Force on the Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelics.”
She said: “The first reason for a taskforce is that FDA will likely approve treatments using psychedelics, such as for treatment-resistant PTSD, before the end this year.” “Thus, it is important to begin thinking about who, what, when, and how sooner rather than late.”
As originally drafted task force recommendations on psychedelics regulation would have related to “growing natural psychoactive substances in accordance to agricultural safety standards,” to “systems for supporting statewide online sales with home delivery of natural psychoactive substances,” and to “testing, packaging and labeling requirements for products that contain natural psychedelics substances.”
Guzzone, however, said that at the hearing on Wednesday she is seeking to amend the bill in order to “remove quite a bit of the prescriptive lingo” to allow the task force to have “a little more latitude to what they think within the key areas identified in the bill.”
The lawmaker’s amendment, she said, removes one of the unique features in the current Bill. This would have required that the task force make recommendations for “the sale and taxation” of natural psychedelics substances.
Guzzone stated that it was time to bring psychedelics into the light and to add them to the treatment toolbox for the thousands of people who suffer from conditions that are so debilitating they cannot work, their families fall apart and the medical costs become overwhelming. This task force is a first step.
A companion version has also been introduced by the Senate. It is due to be heard next month.
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In the House Judiciary Committee members also considered a proposal by Del. Sheila Ruth’s (D) proposal would create a Task Force to study the use and possession of de minimis quantities of controlled dangerous substances.
The 37-member expert group, which includes appointees from the Governor, Legislative leaders, and state agencies will be charged with studying “types and quantities of controlled dangerous substances that are eligible for civil citations for possession or use.”
The committee would have to also make recommendations about “alternatives” to criminal justice intervention in cases of possession of the decriminalized amount.
By October 1, 2025, the task force must submit its report to the Governor and to both houses of parliament.
Ruth, the Bill Sponsor, stated during the hearing on Tuesday that she had drafted the legislation in response to concerns expressed by committee members, “rightfully,” about a previous measure that Ruth introduced at the last session, which would have decriminalized drug possession of a low level.
She said, “I’m returning with a Task Force that will examine some of these questions. We need to ensure we are doing it right if we want to do this and be able answer those questions.”
Thomas Higdon, the co-chairman of the Maryland Coalition on Drug Use, Treatment, and Recovery, testified as well at the hearing. He spoke about his own drug recovery journey and reiterated the points that he made to support the legislation in an opinion piece published before the meeting.
In other Maryland drug policy news, the Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that protects gun rights under state law for medical marijuana users. The bill was sent to the House of Delegates.
Recently, a Senate committee has also taken up legislation that would allow police to search vehicles based upon the smell of marijuana.
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