Oregon Begins Providing First Legal Psilocybin Therapy
Mycophiliac
July 27, 2023
Oregon Begins Providing First Legal Psilocybin Therapy
Oregon Begins Providing First Legal Psilocybin Therapy
Psilocybin Therapy
In a historic move, Oregon has become the first state to provide legal psilocybin therapy. This development comes after voters approved the therapeutic use of the federal Schedule I drug through a ballot initiative in 2020. The rollout of legal therapeutic psilocybin has been in the making in Oregon for almost three years.
The Journey to Legalization
On January 1, Oregon became the first state to allow adult use of psilocybin “magic” mushrooms. This decision resulted from a prolonged regulatory process involving extensive public participation, advisory panels, public hearings, and meetings with law enforcement officials. The process was not without its challenges, with tensions arising over issues such as affordability, given that psilocybin sessions will not be covered by insurance as long as the federal government lists the drug as a Schedule 1 substance with “no currently accepted medical use.”
The Psilocybin Therapy Program
The state has authorized creation of psilocybin service centers where anyone over 21 can consume the mushrooms in a supervised setting. A key requirement is that a state-certified facilitator must be present during drug-induced journeys, which can last five or six hours. Unlike cannabis, which can be sold at dispensaries, Oregon will not allow the retail sale of psilocybin; consumption must occur at a licensed service center.
The Training of Psilocybin Facilitators
The first class of “magic” mushroom facilitators seeking state certification has undergone training. The curriculum included a significant emphasis on nontherapeutic matters, including Indigenous traditions involving hallucinogens, the negative social effects of U.S. drug policy, and the impacts of systemic racism on marginalized populations. Practical aspects of the course sought to prepare facilitators for potentially difficult moments, including sexual arousal or intense emotional eruptions, especially among those with repressed trauma.
The Implications
Oregon’s decision to legalize the adult use of psilocybin is seen as revolutionary by drug reform supporters, who hope it will inspire other states and municipalities — and persuade federal authorities to ease longstanding prohibitions. The state’s experiment is already influencing other jurisdictions, with similar ballot measures and reform legislation being introduced in New York, Washington, and a dozen other states.
Conclusion
Oregon's move to provide legal psilocybin therapy marks a significant milestone in the acceptance and use of psychedelic substances for therapeutic purposes. It represents a bold experiment with national implications, and the eyes of the nation will be on Oregon as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of this new frontier in mental health treatment.
Sources
Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review - NCBI
Government of Canada Invests in Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Research
Biden Administration Plans for Legal Psychedelic Therapies - The Intercept
First US Government Funding for Psychedelic Therapy Research in 50 Years - New Atlas
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy - Dell Medical School
Psilocybin Showing Promising Results for Depression - University of Utah Health
Access Psilocybin Services: Prevention and Wellness - Oregon.gov