“I am eager to have a chat with the governor to find out more about her views on the bill.”
By Cami Koons, Iowa Capital Dispatch
One key legislator said that he was shocked by the Governor. Kim Reynolds (R)’s veto of a bill last week that would have permitted the prescription and the distribution of synthetic Psilocybin – the psychoactive component in “magic mushroom” – following the federal approval of this drug – surprised him.
Reynolds stated that the bill is “ahead” of the public health, law enforcement, and regulatory systems within the state.
Reynolds explained her veto by saying, “This is not an attempt to dismiss the new science and the advocacy that this bill represents.” This is more of a request for an Iowan-centric and deliberate approach.
House File 383, one of two bills introduced by the Iowa House in this year, sought to legalize use of psychedelics and other drugs as treatments for mental issues such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Rep. Brett Barker, R-Nevada’s Floor Manager for the Bill said that the Governor’s veto was “unexpected”, considering that the bill had been passed unanimously in both chambers.
Barker stated in an e-mail that she was looking forward to a discussion with the governor to find out more about her views on the bill.
House File 978 would create a psilocybin licensure board in Iowa and, similar to Iowa’s medical cannabis program, allow eligible patients to access the drug, while it was still classified federally as Schedule I substance.
This bill was heard by the House of Representatives but did not reach the Senate.
The bill HF 383 that was presented to the Governor would have immediately redistributed any drug containing the synthetic form of psilocybin (crystalline polymorph), if it had been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The bill would make it legal for doctors to prescribe, market and distribute drugs containing the COMP360 ingredient.
COMP360 has been tested as a possible treatment for PTSD, and depression resistant to treatment.
In March, Colorado passed a similar law. Colorado and Oregon have the only medical license programs that allow psilocybin.
Reynolds stated that she “recognizes and respects the growing body research on the The following are examples of how you can use She said that despite the “therapeutic benefits” of psilocybin, the FDA and Drug Enforcement Agency should approve the compound before Iowa reschedules it.
“The pathway provided by this bill for legalization of psilocybin at the state level before we have a chance to review federal action…creates legal uncertainty, poses risks for misuse and could undermine broader efforts to ensure safe and effective therapeutic use in the future,” Reynolds said.
Iowa Capital Dispatch published this article first.
A Scientific Review shows that psychedelic therapy can help reduce problematic alcohol and tobacco use.