New York legislators say that there is a “real possibility” that legislation legalizing psilocybin assisted therapy will pass through a committee during this session. They emphasize that delaying the action would “neglect many people who need help” for certain mental health issues.
In a Wednesday briefing, Assemblymember Pat Burke and Sens. Nathalia Fernandez, a Democratic legislator from Los Angeles, and Jessica Scarcella–Spanton, a Democratic senator from New York City, presented a pair bills that would allow access to psychedelics in a controlled setting. They expressed optimism over the momentum which they believe could help them pass the legislature.
Burke, who sponsors a bill to create a pilot program for psilocybin treatment for 10,000 people said, “We’re facing a mental crisis. We need all the tools we can get.” He said that “we are here to turn the pages” on the wider drug war.
A second measure that the legislator introduced last year would allow more people to receive treatment for psilocybin from a certified facilitator either in a clinic setting or at home, if they are unable to travel.
He said, “We don’t see much bipartisanship these days.” “This is one rare case where both sides are beginning to agree,” he said.
In response to Marijuana Moment’s question, the legislators said that they see a way to pass the bill through the Assembly Health Committee in this year.
Burke stated that “the chair of Health has been a strong advocate for this.” “I thought it would be done last year. There are always new obstacles. “But I believe there is a good chance that we can move it outside of our committees.”
“Who knows? “I think we have a chance if a wave comes to support us at the end session,” he said. “But I prefer to underpromise than overpromise. But there is a chance.” “I just think we need to all be in the same boat.”
Fernandez agreed, and noted that since she had filed an earlier version of the companion psilocybin bill, more members were aware of and supportive of it. Some told her that they may not have been willing to co-sponsor the reform but they “do wish to vote for the bill.”
The senator stated that “there are political concerns about it.” Education is the best tool to use. It is important that people know and understand that it is not intended to harm anyone, and that it is a service that many and some need. It should be part the discussion when we consider mental health needs in general.
Scarcella-Spanton emphasized the importance for supporters to reach out to their legislators to let them know that they support the legislation.
Marijuana Moment asked lawmakers if they thought any lessons could be learned from the experience of legalizing marijuana in the state as they worked to implement a regulatory model for Psilocybin.
Fernandez stated, “I believe they are completely different.” “Cannabis can be used as a recreational drug, and it is also a medical tool. Psilocybin does not have that same potential.”
Burke agreed, saying that drug policy and the issues surrounding it are “completely separate things.”
“The recreational cannabis industry has faced many problems during its implementation. He said that the structure created was a bit of mess. “I don’t think that should be used to prevent [psilocybin treatment].” “They’re totally different.”
In recent sessions, the New York legislature has explored a number of psychedelics-related policy issues. Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, a Democrat, separately introduced in December 2022 a measure that would legalize certain psychedelics, such as psilocybin and ibogaine , for adults aged 21 and over.
The state Department of Health, under the legislation Burke most recently sponsored to establish a psilocybin pilot program, would be required by law to fund the services provided and to develop guidelines for training professional facilitators. Every two years, it would have to submit a report to the legislature and governor on its findings and recommendations.
Participants could include veterans, their families, first-responders, and cluster headache sufferers. Residents of the western part of New York would be required to participate.
In 2024, lawmakers in the U.S. are preparing for what is already proving to be a busy year in terms of psychedelics legislation.
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A bipartisan Arizona Senate committee approved Tuesday a bill that would allow psilocybin services centers, where people can receive the psychedelic under medical supervision.
A Republican-led Indiana House committee has approved this week a bill that funds clinical research trials on psilocybin, which was already passed by the Senate.
A bipartisan resolution was unanimously adopted by a New Mexico Senate Committee over the weekend. It requested that state officials investigate the therapeutic potential for psilocybin, and examine the creation of a regulatory structure to allow access to this psychedelic.
Last week, an Alaska Senate panel heard testimony on a proposal to create a task force in the state to investigate how to legalize and regulate the therapeutic use of psychedelics .
Recently, bipartisan California legislators introduced a bill that would legalize psychedelic services centers, where adults aged 21 and over could have access to psilocybin MDMA mescaline DMT and other psychedelics in a supervised environment , with trained facilitators.
Last month, a joint Nevada legislative committee heard expert testimony and public testimony about the therapeutic potential for substances such as psilocybin. Law enforcement officials also expressed their concerns about legalization. However, there was a notable acknowledgment that reforms could be implemented including rescheduling.
The Governor of Massachusetts recently promoted the testimony from activists who spoke out in support of her veterans’ bill. This bill would, among other things, create a work group for psychedelics to investigate the therapeutic potentials of substances like psilocybin.
Last month, a Missouri House Committee considered a proposed that would allow the medical use psilocybin within the state as well as mandate clinical trials to explore the therapeutic potential.
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