Rhode Island legislators held an hearing to discuss a recently reintroduced psilocybin bill, which would allow possession of psilocybin and its home cultivation.
The House Judiciary Committee met on Tuesday to discuss the proposal of Rep. Brandon Potter, (D), and heard expert testimony regarding the scientific landscape as well as the policies surrounding the use of psychedelics.
Psilocybin occurs naturally in mushrooms. Non-toxic and non-addictive. Potter’s opening remarks stated that the compound is natural. “There’s an abundance of especially medical research that shows incredible effects for treating people with complicated PTSD, depression, severe anxiety, addiction—just an absolute abundance of medical research from leading medical research institutions.”
“I am optimistic we will pass this law by the end of this year.” He said that this was a bill to decriminalize personal possession. If nothing else, it’s clear that most people agree, no matter how they feel, this isn’t something we should prioritize law enforcement and criminalize people for.
Under the bill, sharing psilocybin—the main psychoactive compound in psychedelic mushrooms—would also be permitted.
This is not the first instance that lawmakers have looked at such a plan. The measure, H.5186, is a revised version of last year’s H.7047, also from Potter, as well as a similar bill in 2023 that passed the House on a 56–11 vote, but did not move forward in the Senate before the end of the session.
Victoria Litman is a law professor who specializes in psychedelics. She gave an overview on state and local policies over the past few years.
“They are recognizing that mental illness is a crisis, and want to improve access to these medications and make them safer,” said she. The states recognize that the federal government never set the standard for smart drug reform and they aren’t going to wait.
You’re likely to see bills in Texas and Virginia. Utah is one state where we’ve seen these bills. Litman stated that this is not an issue of blue or red. “It’s a public health—and especially mental health, veterans’ rights, first responders—that kind of issue.”
H.5186 allows the possession of “any compound, mix, or preparation that contains less than 1 ounce (1oz. )” H.5186 would allow the possession of “any compound, mixture or preparation containing less than one ounce (1 oz.)
This change will only last until July 1, 2020, after which it will expire. Prior to that, the Attorney General of each state would have to provide a report to the House of Senators on “the total number of violations for psilocybin possession, cultivation and distribution” and to the Director of State Department of Health the information regarding the federal schedule of the substance.
This bill states that, in the event the federal government redistributes psilocybin to a lower schedule, the Department of Health of the State “must set forth rules and regulations for the cultivation and distribution of the drug and its medical prescription”, as well as making the substance available to residents of the state.
The measure is a reference to the rescheduling of drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug schedules are typically the responsibility of the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The FDA granted psilocybin breakthrough therapy status for certain depression disorders.
If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1 of this year.
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In Rhode Island last month, the Cannabis Control Commission of the state released almost 200 pages in draft regulations to regulate the state’s burgeoning adult-use cannabis market.
In terms of other developments on drug policy in the state late last year, the organizers unveiled the United States’ first official state-approved safe consumption location for illegal drugs. The facility—located in Providence—stems from a 2021 bill creating a pilot program for overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the state.
Academics and harm-reduction advocates have praised overdose prevention centres as an effective way to prevent drug-related death and provide people with access to social services. This includes treatment for substance use disorders.
The mayor of Providence, Brett Smiley said (D), “People who have substance abuse disorders are going to use.” At the ribbon-cutting for this facility. The difference is they’ll use under medical supervision with staff on hand to ensure they don’t die. And then they will receive services.
Brown University’s researchers are closely following developments.
Brandon D.L. is a professor of Brown’s Department of Epidemiology. Marshall said in a university post about the project. What makes these programs so helpful to people if they work? What are the ways they link people with addiction treatment and support? What are the best ways to integrate them into a community hard-hit by America’s drug overdose epidemic? These are a few of the questions we would like to explore.”
New Mexico Senate Panel Approves Psilocybin Treatment Bill Unanimously
Dick Culbert is the photographer.
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