Psychedelics Reform Update: Missouri’s $10M Budget, Maine’s & Maryland’s Study Groups, Oregon’s Re-Crim And More
State-level psychedelics policy reform keeps moving forward throughout the U.S. Below is a recap of the moves that took place in the past three weeks (see the previous recap.)
Missouri: Controversial budget proposal HB 2010 received final approval by the state’s House on April 5, a day after it was reported to the Senate for consideration, where it already had its first read.
One provision of the appropriations bill calls for the funding of psilocybin research, specifically a one-time $10 million deduction from the state’s opioid settlements, as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder.
The measure underwent several House amendments, including the later-dismissed possibility of directing research to ibogaine, Marijuana Moment reported.
Separately, SB 768 legalizing psilocybin possession, cultivation and use for veterans suffering from PTSD, major depression, substance use disorders or end-of-life care, has been placed in the Senate’s formal calendar for perfection.
Maine: On April 3, the Senate amended and passed LD 1914, legislation that would create a psychedelics commission to explore regulated access in the state. The new body would examine how to create a “legal framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs, including but not limited to psilocybin” and send those recommendations to the legislature by Nov. 6, 2024.
It would need to develop a “long-term strategic plan for ensuring that psilocybin services will become and remain a safe, accessible, and affordable therapeutic option for all persons who are 21 years of age or older and for whom psilocybin services may be appropriate.”
The Senate Veterans and Legal Affairs committee passed the legislation after significantly watering it down from the initial psilocybin legalization for adults at licensed facilities, Marijuana Moment reported. It is now to face the state’s House.
Maryland: HB 548 establishing a psychedelics task force to study legal access was sent to Gov. Wes Moore’s (D) desk on April 4, following Senate counterpart SB 1009 which was unanimously approved by House lawmakers a few days prior.
Overseen by the state’s Cannabis Administration (MCA), the new “Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances” would be charged with ensuring “broad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances.”
Topics that the new task force would have to emit recommendations on include education and safety, access to treatment and regulated support and production of natural psychedelic substances; plus, potentially expunging prior convictions for psychedelics and the release of those incarcerated for such offenses, among additional recommendations on new civil penalties for “nonviolent infractions involving the planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, or possessing of or other engagement with natural psychedelic substances.”
Recommendations would be due to the governor and legislature by July 31, 2025, and the legislation would expire after two and a half years.
Oregon: On April 1, Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed bipartisan-supported HB 4002 which, revising voter-approved Measure 110, creates a new misdemeanor for drug possession.
Paired with SB 5204 which provides new funding for behavioral health and treatment programs, the new legislation essentially rolls back a key portion of Measure 110 and recriminalizes drug possession in the state.
Measure 110 decriminalized small amounts of hard drugs and made possession punishable by a fine. It also allocated new funding for addiction treatment programs, but that part trailed while fentanyl use spiked statewide.
Gov. Kotek said in a letter following her signature that the bill, paired with its treatment-focused companion, “represents a package that encourages treatment first, while balancing the need for accountability.”
A person charged with the misdemeanor would now initially face an 18-month probation period, with the possibility of up to 30 days in jail for violating probation or up to six …