New Mexico has introduced bipartisan legislation that would create a program for therapeutic use of the active ingredient found in psychedelics mushrooms in a medically supervised setting.
SB 219, the Medical Psilocybin Act allows patients who meet certain conditions to access and use psilocybin under the supervision of licensed healthcare providers. Treatment would be divided into three sessions: a preparatory session, a administration session, and a post-treatment integration session.
In the text, the aim of the legislation is “to allow the use of psilocybin for medical purposes in a controlled system.”
The bill includes conditions such as major treatment resistant depression, PTSD and substance abuse disorders, but the Department of Health of the State could also approve other conditions.
State-licensed psilocybin manufacturers would also be allowed to cultivate mushrooms and produce psilocybin. The proposal would prohibit the use of synthetic psilocybin or its analogs.
There are five sponsors listed on the 18-page document, which includes four Democrats as well as one Republican. The bill has been sent to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee.
The Medical Psilocybin Act provides a well-designed framework that will allow the Department of Health (DOH) to develop a medical psilocybin program,” stated Jeff Steinborn, DOH’s lead sponsor in a social media statement. New Mexicans must be able to receive every possible treatment when they are facing serious mental health issues. This therapy is a proven option that offers hope to the people in need.
Republican Senator Craig Brandt has said, “I’m excited to have this new medical breakthrough available to New Mexicans.”
He stated that “Medical psilocybin has proven to be an effective treatment for traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic anxiety disorder (PTSD), and depression.” “As an ex-veteran, I am hopeful that the new medical treatment will be helpful to other veterans.”
It would be the responsibility of the state department of health to develop guidelines on training, for both clinicians as well as producers. These should include dosage, settings approved for administration, protocols for production and storage, and any other best practices.
Nine-member advisory boards will recommend rules and regulations regarding preparation, dosage and additional conditions. This board would also consider petitions from outside for new qualifying conditions.
SB 219 will also establish two state funds. The medical psilocybin equity fund will help qualified patients meet the income criteria set by health departments offset treatment costs. A medical psilocybin fund will provide grants for research on “any aspect of the medical uses of psilocybin”.
The bill allocates $2 million to the Department of Health to run the program. An additional $1,000,000 each will go to new equity and research funds.
SB 219 was dubbed “groundbreaking legislation” for mental health, addiction and drug abuse by Sen. Martin Hickey.
In a press release, he stated that “it is similar to the discovery of antibiotics.”
Rep. Liz Thomas, a Democrat, said on the House side that “by establishing a state-run, highly-regulated program, we are able to provide alternatives to those who do not respond to conventional treatment in a controlled, safe environment.”
We owe those who are suffering, when we face epidemic levels in depression, anxiety and PTSD as well as other mentally debilitating conditions, to look into promising treatments such as psilocybin, the legislator added.
Rep. Stefani Lady (R) agreed, saying that lawmakers “owe New Mexicans the duty to investigate the therapeutic potential of Psilocybin”.
Lord explained that research shows that psilocybin in conjunction with a licensed therapist can reduce fear and anxiety in people who suffer from depression and PTSD, as well as disrupt negative thought cycles and lead to long-term symptom improvement in a relatively short time.
Andrea Romero, D, added: “Psilocybin is revolutionizing the mental health care industry, giving hope to those who are battling anxiety, depression and PTSD.” New Mexico, with this law, is setting the standard for treatment innovation. It’s a strong precedent of compassionate, science-based, care.
New Mexico legislators passed and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democratic Representative from New Mexico, endorsed a resolution requesting state officials to research the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
Prior to that, in the House Health and Human Services Committee, a bill was passed calling for the establishment of an entity within the state which would study the possibilities of creating a psilocybin program for specific patients. This measure, however, did not progress further during the session of 2023.
This year, a number of other state legislatures are set to consider psilocybin reforms, including New York, Washington State, Missouri, Rhode Island and Nevada.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection is asking a New Mexico federal court to throw out a suit filed by licensed marijuana businesses who claim that the agencies are seizing marijuana products regulated by the state and detaining employees at checkpoints in the interior.
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Image courtesy Wikimedia/Mushroom observer.