Minnesota’s legislature sent to the governor a bill containing provisions for the creation of a task force on psychedelics to prepare Minnesota for possible legalization.
On Monday, about a month after The House passed the omnibus bill which included language similar to the standalone psychedelics legislation sponsored by Rep. Andy Smith(D), both chambers approved a bicamerally negotiated conference that retained the provisions.
The Senate approved it first with a vote of 34-32. Later that day, the House gave final approval with a vote of 69 to 64 and sent it directly to the governor. Tim Walz (D).
For purposes of this bill, “psychedelic medicine” means 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and LSD, which at the moment are the three psychedelic substances with the most research done on the them.
Rep. Andy Smith May 22, 2020 HTML0
Walz had said that he would sign the bill next week, after Memorial Day.
The new health bill that is on its way to becoming a law would create a Psychedelic Medical Task Force, which would advise lawmakers on “the medical, legal, and policy questions associated with the legalization psychedelic medicines in the state.”
The body would have to “survey the existing studies in the scientific publications on the therapeutic efficacy psychedelic medicines in the treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic disorder and bipolar disorder and any other medical and mental conditions that a psychedelic medication may be an effective treatment option.”
The plan would address “statutory changes required for the legalization psychedelic medicines” as well as “state and local regulations of psychedelic drugs.”
Kelly Morrison, a Democratic Senator, said, “I’m excited that the psychedelic medicines task force is part of this legislation,” during a conference committee Monday, before floor votes were held in either chamber. This is an innovative and interesting potential treatment for depression, and other diseases. Studying this will be important.
Twitter #mnleg might also be interested to learn that both @WalterHudson as well as I am on the bill. It’s important to note that there are many bills which are bipartisan. They just don’t get the attention they deserve.
Rep. Andy Smith May 22, 2020
was introduced by Smith as a stand-alone bill. The legislation would have required that the task force examine mescaline (and other drugs such as bufotenine), DMT (5-MeO-DMT), 2C-B ibogaine salvinorin-A and ketamine. The bill was changed in committee so that it only focused on psilocybin MDMA and LSD.
—
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.
—
During the process, provisions of the legislation relating to the appointment of task force members also changed.
In its standalone form, the document stated that each of the House majority leaders and Senate majority leaders would appoint 2 members to the committee. The measure’s bipartisan appeal was boosted when an earlier committee approved a compromise that allowed the minority leaders in both chambers to each have one appointment. However, this was not included when it was attached to omnibus legislation. The bipartisan language was revised during a House Ways & Means Committee meeting last month and then passed on the floor before the conference.
The final proposal proposes to allocate $338,000 for fiscal year 2024, and $171,000 for fiscal year 2025 as funding for the task force.
The 23-member taskforce would consist of officials, experts and representatives from various fields, such as the Governor or his designee; the Health Commissioner, the State Attorney General or his designee; two tribal representatives and people with experience in substance abuse treatment, experts on public health policy, veterans with mental illnesses, etc.
The task force is required to submit two reports detailing its findings on the legalization and use of psychedelic medicines in the state. This includes the comprehensive plan that was developed under subdivision. The first report is due by February 1, 2020, while the second one must be received by January 1, 2025.
Kurtis Hanna is a drug reform lobbyist and worked to advance the psychedelics legislation this session. He told Marijuana Moment the bill “recognizes psychedelics’ potential to revolutionize mental healthcare treatments and gives hope to individuals who suffer from debilitating illnesses like PTSD or treatment-resistant depression.”
He said that the task force was mandated to investigate both the therapeutic benefits and legal pathways Minnesota can use to help patients navigate the maze of federal laws and regulations to access these potential medicines. This legislation will help open new treatment options for our state by fostering collaboration between public health experts and legal experts as well as patients, advocates, and clinicians.
The governor also signed a separate, large-scale bill on Friday that includes provisions for legalizing drug paraphernalia, syringe service, residue, and testing. This is a victory for advocates of harm reduction in the state.
Connecticut House passes bill to release marijuana prisoners, sending it to Senate
Photo elements are courtesy carlosemmaskype, and Apollo.
The article Minnesota Forms A Psychedelics Workforce Under Bill Lawmakers Sent to Governor’s Desk first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
