In a significant step towards psychedelic reform, a New Jersey Senate committee has approved a bill that would legalize a therapeutic psilocybin program in the state. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted almost unanimously to advance the amended bill S.2283, which focuses on regulated access for authorized medical patients.
The legislation, if passed, would create a state-sanctioned psilocybin program for therapeutic use. Testimony from advocates, including a lawyer who uses psilocybin to treat cluster headaches, swayed some previously hesitant lawmakers.
The bill has undergone changes, moving away from broader adult-use legalization to concentrate on medical applications. It now includes provisions for patient certification and clarifies that it won’t restrict access to FDA-approved psilocybin drugs.
This development aligns with growing public support for therapeutic psilocybin use in New Jersey, as indicated by a recent survey showing 55% of residents in favor of medical psilocybin legalization.