Missouri Republican legislators have filed two bills that would legalize psilocybin for medical purposes and mandate clinical trials to explore the therapeutic potential.
Rep. Aaron McMullen and Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder both introduced versions of similar legislation for the session of 2024, setting the scene for further considerations of psychedelics in the Show-Me State.
Both proposals would allow adults over 21 who have been diagnosed with a qualifying disorder such as substance abuse disorder or post-traumatic disorder to legally access psilocybin that has been tested in a laboratory. The adults would also need to have enrolled or applied for enrollment in a Department of Health and Senior Services clinical trial involving psilocybin.
The Senate version is a mirror of , a separate House Bill that was advanced this year to the floor but not ultimately passed.
Patients are required to give DHSS information on their diagnosis, who will administer the psilocybin treatment and the location and time.
Psilocybin was only allowed to be used for a maximum period of one year. The amount of psychedelics that could be used during this treatment is limited to 150 milligrams. However, patients who qualify could also be approved to continue the treatment over subsequent periods of one year.
All regulators, physicians and officials of state agencies would be protected from any legal consequences relating to activities made lawful by the legislation.
The legislation also calls on DHSS for $2 million in grant funding to support “research into the use and effectiveness of psilocybin.”
Eapen Thampy, a lobbyist and organizer for Psychedelic Missouri who represents American Shaman, told Marijuana Moment he expected the Senate Measure to “be further refined by the committee process.”
He said that the biggest problem with passing this proposal by 2024 would be the external politics, and election-year drama. “We have largely won the debate about the urgency and legitimacy of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.”
This measure expands the Right to Try law to include people who are suffering from life-threatening conditions or severe debilitating illnesses, as well as those who have terminal illnesses. The measure would remove language that prohibited the use of Schedule I substances, a first step towards potentially opening access to other substances like additional psychedelics.
It also states that “an institution or higher education in the state of New York, or contract research organisations conducting trials approved by United States Food and Drug Administration” can conduct psilocybin-related research.
In recent years, Missouri has been a major battleground in the fight for psychedelic reform. Multiple GOP legislators have championed proposals to promote access to plant-based medicine and encourage research.
In the meantime, advocates are organizing conferences and events – including a Veterans-focused Panel in October – to build on momentum and raise awareness of alternative therapies.
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The state’s cannabis market is maturing, as data from DHSS show that combined medical and recreational marijuana sales in 2023 exceeded $1.1 billion by November.
Missouri lawmakers announced recently that $17 millions of the cannabis tax revenues the state generated would be used to fund veterans’ health, drug treatment, and legal aid.
Missouri’s marijuana industry has also been a source of controversy this year. Tens of thousands of products were recalled due to the alleged illegal use of hemp derived cannabinoids imported from outside of the state. Last month, regulators revoked the license of Delta Extraction . The company at the heart of the controversy.
The incident has put state marijuana regulators in a bind regarding the practices at product testing laboratories. They had been under fire earlier this year for alleged “lab shopping”, where producers were allegedly seeking higher THC potency.
A dispute between a union and another company, Retailer Point Management (doing business as Shangri-La Columbia) was recently resolved after 15 unfair labor practices were alleged.
Last month, lawmakers complained that the state’s marijuana regulators had overstepped their powers when they set new rules for product packaging and branding intended to limit the appeal of products to children.
Businesses also filed a suit in October challenging the “stacked tax”, which they claim is unconstitutional.
California Campaign to Legalize Psychedelics Submits final version of proposed 2024 ballot measure
The post Missouri Republican Lawmakers File Bills to Legalize Psilocybin Treatment and Fund Clinical Trials for 2024 Session first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
