New Mexico Senate Bill 219 – the Medical Psilocybin Act – has moved closer to reality. The bill would permit the use psilocybin to treat medical conditions that are qualified, establish an advisory panel and amend Controlled Substances Act by removing both psilocybin & psilocin.
Sponsored by Jeff Steinborn and Martin Hickey. Liz Thomson, Craig Brandt, Andrea Romero. The bill passed the Senate with 34 votes in support and 4 against on 12 March. It then advanced to the members of the House Health & Human Services Committee who gave a “Do Pass” recommendation and voted 8-1 in favor on Monday.
“Some people confuse [psilocybin mushrooms] Woodstock, for example, was an event that brought people together. Marijuana Moment quoted Sen. Martin Hickey as saying that in his opening remarks during the hearing.
It is the responsibility of the department in charge to gather and analyze the data, develop the best practices for administering psilocybin and implement the program before Dec. 31 2027.
According to the Medical Psilocybin Act of 2026, $2 million will be allocated from the General Fund to the Department of Health for the Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The general fund would receive any balance at the end fiscal year 2026. A further $1 million will be allocated for the psilocybin fund.
This program allows the compound to be prescribed for specific conditions that qualify, such as:
- Major treatment-resistant depression
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
- Substance use disorders
- End-of-life care
- Additional conditions may be approved by the Department
The law also protects producers, clinicians and patients who qualify from being arrested, prosecuted or penalized for taking part in the program. The law does not protect a driver who is under the effects of psilocybin.
The board will make two recommendations per year to the department in charge of the program.
A “medical Psilocybin Treatment Equity Fund” is also established by the law, which includes appropriations and gifts as well as grants, donations and grant money. Fund will receive $1,000,000 from general fund for its establishment. The fund will use the money to pay for treatment for qualified patients meeting income requirements set by the Department.
SB0219