The "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act" was reintroduced to the New Jersey senate since it was first introduced in June 2022. This act would decriminalize the possession of psilocybin (the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms) and expunge criminal records for the use, distribution, production, and possession of psilocybin. If this act passes the NJ senate, residents over the age of 21 would be able to receive psilocybin treatments at safe and legal service centers. "My guess is they're not going to put it up for vote until they have enough votes to pass it," said New Jersey cannabis attorney, Robert DiPisa.
Under this act, New Jersey would create a Department of Health Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Advisory Board. This board would be comprised of 18 members; which include the attorney general, public health officials, and a representative from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission as non voting members. The 12 voting members would be appointed by the governor. These appointed members would include a licensed physician, licensed psychologist, public health officials, someone with experience working with veterans, someone with experience in drug policy and harm reduction, someone with experience in racial and economic equity and health care access, and other qualified members.
The act was introduced to the NJ senate by senator Nicholas Scutari. "Science is emerging with new medical uses for psilocybin. This bill seeks to destigmatize this natural product and promote research to benefit mental and physical health," said Scutari.
New Jersey is not the first state to introduce therapeutic use of psilocybin. Oregon was the first state in the U.S. to legalize the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms. Since magic mushrooms hit the legal market in Oregon, in 2021, the legalization efforts have laid the foundation for other states to legalize and decriminalize psilocybin. The Oregon Psilocybin Services Act "directs Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to license and regulate psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services." This act has authorized the use of magic mushrooms in clinical settings, however a prescription or medical referral is not required for psilocybin clients over the age of 21.
In the beginning of 2023, Oregon began accepting licenses to cultivate, produce, process, and sell mushrooms to a licensed manufacturer. Prior to the sale and consumption, mushrooms must be tested by a licensed testing laboratory that is accredited by the Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. Providers must also attend an approved training program and take an exam before being authorized to administer magic mushrooms to clients. Other states, including New Jersey are looking at Oregon to examine their success with the program.
Clinical psilocybin therapy has the potential to revolutionize mental health treatment. If this act is passed in New Jersey, it will pave the way for other states to legalize psychedelics and encourage use as a therapeutic treatment. The legalization of psychedelics such as psilocybin and MDMA could also open up more opportunities for research. Psilocybin and other psychedelics could help with several mental health conditions. Angela Allbee, manager of the Oregon Psilocybin Services section of the Oregon Health Authority said, “The research is really highlighting that … psilocybin may be beneficial for not just trauma, anxiety, depression (and) addiction, but also for an entire range of other issues — grief, end-of-life anxiety, race-based trauma — and so many other possible supported uses."
In recent years, we have seen large prevalence of mental health conditions and addiction in the United States. An estimated 21 million people in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2021 and an estimated 28.8 million adults over the age of 18 meet the conditions for alcohol use disorder. Additionally, 2.1 million Americans have opioid use disorder and over 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from anxiety.
Mental health and addiction in the U.S. has skyrocketed, especially among the younger generation. This is leading to an increase of interest and research in this field. I am hopeful about the research of magic mushrooms in managing addictions and mental health conditions.
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