Montana legislators have defeated a bill to legalize psilocybin therapy in adults with certain medical conditions. There is talk of moving a smaller measure to examine possible psychedelics reforms.
On Wednesday, the House Human Services Committee heard from Rep. Jill Cohenour (D). The measure was then rejected by the members in an executive session, which ended in a 9-12 vote.
The bill would have permitted adults aged 18 or older who had one of the four qualifying conditions to receive psychedelics in a controlled, therapeutic setting with professionals. These conditions included post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders.
Cohenour stated Wednesday at the committee hearing that psychedelics legislation is “becoming so up-and-coming that we really wanted this conversation to take place in front of Congress.” She cited psychedelic legalization developments from California, Colorado, and Oregon.
The Department of Revenue would have issued medical psilocybin card to patients who provided the required documentation as well as business licenses for therapeutic use of psilocybin treatment centres.
These centers would have been allowed to grow and administer the psychedelics as required by law and overseen and monitored by the department.
The legislation also outlined requirements for psilocybin facilitators, clinicians, and technicians.
It was proposed to provide legal protections to employees, licensees, and patients who participated in the program. It also provided penalties for illegal activity, such as the distribution of fungi.
The bill text states that therapeutic psilocybin should only be used under the supervision and as part of a treatment plan consisting of a preparation, administration, and integration session.
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After testimony by several supporters of the reform, the sponsor received a question asking if she would be open to exploring a smaller measure to study psychedelics issues for future legislation.
She stated that she hopes that the committee will advance her bill to the floor, but that she has been talking with legislators in both chambers about a dialed back study measure.
She said, “We had to have this discussion before we can proceed.” “People will be able to understand why the legislature may think this is important and why we think a study bill would make sense.”
At Thursday’s executive sessions, Rep. Greg Oblander (R), said that “maybe as more research comes out and things such that where we can see benefits that would be more convincing that would be more convincing”, and that he might support it. He said that he did not feel confident enough to move the legalization bill at this time.
The Legislative Services Division prepared a legal review note for this bill. It warned that the reform could raise federal constitutional issues related the Supremacy Clause in the United States Constitution. This was a topic of discussion and concern for some lawmakers.
Montana voters approved adult cannabis use in 2020. The governor signed implementation legislation in the next year, despite federal policy conflict.
Montana is the latest state to have its legislature work on psychedelics legislation.
For example, on Wednesday, Washington State legislators approved a psilocybin bill. They also included provisions that would allow patients to have therapeutic access to the psychedelic substance back in legislation that was previously withdrawn by the Senate.
Recently, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), stated that it would be prudent for states to legalize certain psychoactive drugs like MDMA in preparation for a possible federal policy change that will allow their use for medical treatment.
Last week, the Missouri House moved one step closer to passing a bill which would legalize psilocybin treatment for some patients. It also promotes research into the psychedelic as well as expanding the scope and authority of the state’s “Right to Try” law for severely ill persons.
These are just a few of the reforms being considered by legislators in this session.
Based on statistical modeling of policy trends, an analysis published last year in the American Medical Association journal concluded that most states will legalize psychotropic drugs by 2037.
This month’s national poll found that the majority of U.S. citizens support legal access to psychedelics treatment and support federally decriminalizing substances such as MDMA and psilocybin.
Photo by Dick Culbert.
Marijuana Moment: Montana Lawmakers Defeat Psilocybin Therapy Legalization Bill
