Category: Magic Mushroom

Arizona legislators are exploring ways to legalize the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances for treating mental health disorders. In a recent committee meeting, state senators discussed frameworks that could allow supervised medical use of drugs like psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine—all currently classified as Schedule I substances.

The proposed measures include potential “trigger laws,” which would take effect if the federal government reclassifies these drugs. Supporters cite growing clinical evidence that psychedelics may offer relief for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Lawmakers say federal momentum toward FDA approval could accelerate local adoption.

Read the full report from FOX 10 Phoenix.

Psychedelics are drawing renewed attention in medical and legal circles, but experts remain divided on how quickly the U.S. should expand access. At a recent Harvard Law School event hosted by the Petrie-Flom Center, scholars and advocates debated whether to prioritize therapeutic potential or scientific caution.

Former Navy pilot Matthew Buckley described his recovery from trauma through ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT, urging faster access for veterans. Meanwhile, ethicist Holly Fernandez Lynch argued that psychedelic medicine must meet the same standards as any other drug, warning against premature commercialization. As researcher David Yaden noted, rigorous, well-funded studies remain essential to understanding benefits and risks.

Read the full story from Harvard University via Medical Xpress.

New Jersey lawmakers have taken a major step toward legalizing regulated psilocybin therapy for adults with qualifying health conditions, with plans to continue working toward final enactment in the 2026 legislative session. The Assembly Health Committee recently reported the bill out favorably after hearing testimony from advocates and stakeholders, though the amended version removes broader legalization provisions for adult use.​

Under the bill, the Department of Health would oversee licensing for psilocybin manufacturers, service centers, testing labs, facilitators, and workers. Access would require a referral from a licensed healthcare professional and include mandatory preparation and integration sessions. A social equity program would help low-income individuals afford treatment, and a Psilocybin Advisory Board would set guidelines and oversee safety protocols.​

Support for therapeutic psilocybin remains strong among New Jersey residents, with a recent poll showing 55% in favor of doctor-supervised access. The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee, with the Senate version having already cleared two panels.​

For more details, read the full article at Marijuana Moment.

New York lawmakers are considering the potential legalization of psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in so-called “magic mushrooms.” At a recent state Assembly Health Committee hearing, experts and advocates discussed psilocybin’s possible therapeutic benefits and the risks involved. While psilocybin remains illegal in New York and under federal law, states like Oregon and Colorado already allow supervised treatment for adults.

Speakers, including clinical psychologists, highlighted that the FDA has granted psilocybin “breakthrough therapy” status for several mental health conditions. Legislators are now reviewing bills, such as one backed by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, which would permit cultivation and adult therapeutic use in certain cases.

Advocates like retired FDNY firefighter Joe McKay shared powerful testimony, describing how psilocybin succeeded where conventional treatments failed. As lawmakers debate the way forward, many urge a cautious but innovative approach. For more details, see the coverage at CBS News New York.​

Arizona has approved the nation’s first clinical trial using whole mushroom psilocybin to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders and military veterans. The federally authorized study, led by the Scottsdale Research Institute with support from Alira Health, will involve 24 participants who receive psilocybin in a controlled medical setting. Backed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, the program stems from a 2023 bill allocating $5 million for psychedelic research. Lawmakers hope the results will shape future policy and treatment access. Read more at Marijuana Moment.

New York state lawmakers held a hearing on the potential legalization of psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” to assess its medicinal benefits and risks. Currently illegal and classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance by the DEA, psilocybin is nonetheless allowed for supervised treatment in states like Oregon and Colorado for adults over 21. Clinical experts highlighted its breakthrough therapy status with the FDA for mental health conditions. Assemblywoman Amy Paulin introduced bills to legalize psilocybin cultivation and adult use for health purposes, emphasizing the need for careful legislative consideration.

Retired FDNY firefighter Joe McKay shared his personal story of debilitating cluster headaches and opioid addiction, explaining how psilocybin treatment was transformative, giving him his life back. The hearing underscores growing support for a regulated framework that balances public safety with therapeutic access source.

Massachusetts lawmakers are set to debate two significant psilocybin proposals during public hearings on September 29. The first, House Bill 4050, introduced by Rep. Patrick Kearney (D), would remove psilocybin and psilocyn from the state’s list of controlled substances, creating a regulated framework for cultivation, distribution, and limited home growing. It also includes equity measures such as tax credits for small cultivators and support for low-income residents seeking psychedelic-assisted therapy.

A separate proposal, House Bill 2532 by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D), would establish a five-site pilot program for nonprofit therapeutic treatment centers overseen by the Department of Public Health. Advocates say both bills highlight the growing recognition of psilocybin’s potential in addressing mental health challenges.

Read the full report at The Marijuana Herald.

New York lawmakers plan to hold a public hearing on September 30 to examine the medicinal value and risks of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms.” The Assembly Health Committee, led by Chairwoman Amy Paulin (D), announced the meeting as the state considers regulated pathways for supervised use.

The move comes as the FDA has designated psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” for major depression, suggesting it could outperform current treatments. Similar reforms have already passed in states like Colorado and Oregon.

Several bills have been introduced in New York to legalize or regulate psilocybin, but none have advanced out of committee. Lawmakers say the issue is pressing amid the state’s ongoing mental health crisis.

Read the full report at Marijuana Moment.

A new ballot initiative in Alaska has cleared a key hurdle, allowing organizers to begin gathering signatures in support of decriminalizing psychedelics. If successful, the measure would remove criminal penalties for adults possessing or cultivating psychedelic substances, including psilocybin mushrooms, for personal use. Proponents argue that changing the law could improve access to therapies and help destigmatize these substances, which are gaining attention for potential mental health benefits.

The initiative represents the latest effort in a nationwide wave of psychedelic reform, following similar moves in Oregon and Colorado. Advocates say effects from these reforms are being closely watched across the country. Full details of the initiative and implications for Alaskans can be found at the Oregon Capital Chronicle’s report on the topic.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Singularism, a Utah-based religious group, halting criminal prosecution against its member Bridger Jensen and denying the state’s motion to dismiss. Judge Jill N. Parrish found that applying Utah’s Controlled Substances Act to prohibit the group’s sacramental use of psilocybin mushrooms imposes a substantial burden on religious exercise, violating both the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act and constitutional protections. Notably, the Act allows secular exemptions for medical use but not for religious use, failing the required neutrality and triggering strict scrutiny. The court determined the prosecution stemmed from bad faith, intended to harass the group for its sincere religious practices. This precedent-setting case may open new pathways for religious exemptions to Utah’s psilocybin ban. Read the full article at The Marijuana Herald.

The recently incorporated Psilocybin Alliance has announced major organizational milestones in its push to protect Oregon’s legal psilocybin services sector. As a newly formed 501(c)(6) nonprofit, the Alliance aims to unite service centers, manufacturers, facilitators, training programs, labs, and advocates under one banner, prioritizing sustainability and accessibility. Despite industry challenges leading to several license holders exiting, the Alliance reports strong early support—representing Oregon’s only licensed testing lab, ten service centers, three manufacturers, two training programs, and multiple facilitators.

A formal partnership with state regulators began July 8, setting the stage for continued industry-OPS dialogue. The group’s leadership emphasizes advocacy for sustainable operations and collaborative policy development. The Alliance invites further participation from professionals eager to help shape Oregon’s evolving psilocybin landscape. Read the full announcement and organizational details at PharmiWeb.

A new proposal in Michigan could offer hope to veterans and others struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). State Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) introduced House Bill 4686, seeking to decriminalize psilocybin possession for individuals diagnosed with PTSD.

At a recent press conference, McFall was joined by retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Michael G. Smith Jr., who highlighted the potential of psilocybin to alleviate PTSD symptoms and possibly prevent life-threatening conditions associated with the disorder. Citing research from the Heroic Hearts Project, preliminary findings suggest over 80% of veterans in psychedelic programs reported symptom improvement after a single treatment.

The bill draws support from local officials and veterans, emphasizing its focus on medicinal rather than recreational use. As debate continues, psilocybin remains federally controlled, but Michigan cities like Hazel Park, Ann Arbor, and Detroit have already eased local restrictions.

Read the full article at C&G News.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a groundbreaking clinical trial exploring the use of botanical psilocybin to treat veterans and first responders suffering from both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study, led by Dr. Nathan Sackett at the University of Washington, will assess the safety of Filament Health’s psilocybin drug, PEX010, administered in a single 25 mg dose alongside psychological support.

This marks the first time psilocybin-assisted therapy will be evaluated for individuals with both PTSD and AUD—two conditions that often overlap but lack effective dual treatments, particularly among military and emergency personnel. The trial, funded by the State of Washington, is currently enrolling participants, with results expected by fall 2026.

Filament Health CEO Benjamin Lightburn emphasized the urgent need for innovative mental health solutions for those who have served their communities.

Read the full story at The Marijuana Herald.

Colorado has taken a major step in its journey toward regulated psilocybin-assisted therapy by issuing the first licenses to individuals in the emerging psilocybin industry. The state’s Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division approved seven applications for cultivation and healing centers, along with one additional license for a local industry worker. While these approvals mark significant progress, businesses must still secure official licenses before operations can begin.

This milestone follows the passage of Proposition 122, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act, in November 2022. The act decriminalized personal use and possession of psilocybin for adults over 21 and set up a framework for regulated therapies and licensed facilities. Colorado joins Oregon as one of the first states to legalize and regulate psilocybin treatments. Regulators anticipate public access to these therapies as early as spring.

For more details, visit The Marijuana Herald.

Colorado has officially entered the forefront of psychedelic legalization, becoming one of the first states to allow psilocybin-assisted therapy. Following the passage of Proposition 122 in 2022, the state is now licensing “healing centers” where individuals can access supervised psilocybin sessions. Advocates hail this as a groundbreaking step toward alternative treatments for mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, particularly for veterans.

However, the move has not been without controversy. Critics, including some conservative groups, argue that the state is moving too quickly and raising concerns about potential misuse and societal impacts. Despite this pushback, proponents emphasize the therapeutic potential of psilocybin when administered in controlled environments.

As Colorado navigates this new terrain, it joins Oregon in shaping the future of psychedelic therapy in the U.S., setting a precedent for other states considering similar measures. For more details, see the full article on Newsweek.

New York senators have introduced a groundbreaking bill to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy for individuals with qualifying mental health conditions. Spearheaded by Senator Nathalia Fernandez (D) and five co-sponsors, the proposal would allow patients to receive psilocybin treatment in clinical settings or at home if travel is not feasible. Certified facilitators would administer the therapy, with legal protections provided for both patients and facilitators.

The bill also establishes a $5 million Psilocybin Assisted Therapy (PAT) grant program aimed at making treatment accessible to veterans, first responders, and low-income individuals. Additionally, the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets would oversee a pilot program for cultivating psilocybin mushrooms to reduce costs.

This initiative builds on prior legislative efforts that stalled in committee. Advocates argue that psilocybin offers a promising alternative for addressing the ongoing mental health crisis. Read more about this proposal on Marijuana Moment.

Oregon’s groundbreaking psilocybin industry is gearing up for a year of fine-tuning in 2025. As the first state in the nation to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin, Oregon has been at the forefront of this innovative approach to mental health treatment.

The program, which launched in 2023, has seen steady growth and interest from both practitioners and clients. However, industry leaders and regulators recognize the need for adjustments to ensure its long-term success and safety.

Key areas of focus for the coming year include refining training programs for facilitators, streamlining the licensing process, and addressing concerns about accessibility and affordability. The Oregon Health Authority is also working closely with researchers to gather data on the program’s effectiveness and safety.

This ongoing evolution of Oregon’s psilocybin program continues to draw national attention as other states consider similar initiatives.

In a significant legislative shift, a New Jersey Senate panel has approved an amended psilocybin bill that pivots from broad legalization to a focus on therapeutic use. The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee voted 6-2 in favor of the revised bill, S.2283, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari and others. Initially, the bill included provisions for adult possession and personal use, which have now been removed to concentrate on establishing a regulated therapeutic program.

The Department of Health would oversee the licensing and regulation of psilocybin manufacture and distribution under the new framework. The bill also proposes the creation of a Psilocybin Advisory Board to guide medical use, safety protocols, and facilitator training. Despite support from some mental health professionals, critics argue the amendments overly restrict access and echo past issues seen in New Jersey’s medical marijuana program. For more details, see the full article on Marijuana Moment.