A House committee in Vermont has advanced a bill that, in its current form, would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy working group to make recommendations on whether and how the state should regulate legal access to substances like psilocybin and MDMA.<\/p>\n
Before passing the measure, which has already cleared the full Senate, the House Human Services Committee narrowed the scope of the proposal, removing provisions that would have directed the task force to reconsider the \u201ccriminalization of psychedelics under State law\u201d as well as provide \u201cpotential timelines for universal and equitable access.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead the group\u2019s work would focus on \u201cthe cost-benefit profile of the use of psychedelics to improve mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n
The eight-person task force would \u201creview the latest research and evidence of the public health benefits and risks of clinical psychedelic assisted treatments\u201d and \u201cexamine the laws and programs of other states that have authorized the use of psychedelics by health care providers in a therapeutic setting,\u201d according to the latest version of the measure.<\/p>\n
Vermont\u2019s Senate passed the bill last month on a voice vote<\/a>, but there have been a number of changes since the legislation landed in the House.<\/p>\n Rep. Anne Donahue (R), who briefly introduced the new striking amendment at Thursday\u2019s committee hearing, said she\u2019s \u201cnot in opposition\u201d to further consideration of psychedelic-assisted therapy. But compared to the Senate-passed measure, she emphasized that her approach is one of \u201clet\u2019s just slow down a little and be careful.\u201d<\/p>\n Donahue said she \u201cfelt there were elements and kind of subtle messaging\u201d in the language of S.114 that was sent over by the Senate, which she described as \u201ca little bit presuming some outcomes and a little bit moving fast.\u201d<\/p>\n To that end, the committee\u2019s striking amendment removed task force members representing the Psychedelic Society of Vermont and the Brattleboro Retreat, a psychiatric and addiction hospital. It adds representatives from the state Department of Mental Health and the nonprofit Vermont Medical Society.<\/p>\n Along with deleting the provision that would have directed the body to evaluate the criminalization of psychedelics in Vermont, the amendment also strikes a line saying that the task force would \u201cprovide potential timelines for universal and equitable access to psychedelic-assisted treatments.\u201d<\/p>\n Another change removes an earlier provision directing the task force to provide an opportunity \u201cfor individuals with lived experience to provide testimony.\u201d<\/p>\n Donahue said her own life experiences with mental health care have left her skeptical of assurances from psychedelic-assisted therapy advocates.<\/p>\n \u201cI have lived the life of somebody who has been told, \u2018Oh, this is safe, this is safe, this is safe.\u2019 You know, \u2018We in psychiatry and mental health know what we\u2019re doing is safe. This is safe, this is safe, this is safe,\u2019 and having my life practically destroyed,\u201d she told colleagues at the hearing. \u201cI see the new ads on TV about, \u2018Oh, your distracted mother, calm her down with this drug!\u2019 That\u2019s a drug that\u2019s prohibited in nursing homes, because it\u2019s used to keep their behaviors in line. And it causes early, premature death. But, you know, give it to mom because she needs to be calmed down!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut the FDA is really actively involved in working on it,\u201d she continued, \u201cand I think that [Vermont should be] following their lead rather than saying, you know, we need to jump the gun potentially.\u201d<\/p>\n Both MDMA and psilocybin have been granted breakthrough therapy status by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and\u00a0recent clinical trials have MDMA on pace for possible FDA approval later this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n As originally introduced, the bill<\/a> from Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick (D) would have legalized noncommercial use and possession of psilocybin<\/a>, but lawmakers on the Senate Health and Welfare Committee nixed that section in March to focus instead on the therapeutic psychedelics working group.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be that decriminalization is going to get in the way of therapeutic use,\u201d Sen. Ginny Lyons (D), who chairs that committee, said at the time. \u201cWhat we\u2019re looking for is the value of therapeutic use.\u201d<\/p>\n Thursday\u2019s panel vote came after the committee considered the bill a day earlier, hearing testimony from Charles MacLean, a professor of medicine and associate dean for primary care at the University of Vermont\u2019s Larner College of Medicine\u2014who presented an informational slideshow to the panel\u2014as well as psychiatrist Rick Barnett, co-founder of the Psychedelic Society of Vermont and legislative chair for the Vermont Psychological Association.<\/p>\n Barnett said he\u2019s in strong support of the bill, though in submitted testimony he emphasized that both further study of therapeutic psychedelics and decriminalization of psilocybin\u2014as earlier versions of the bill would have done\u2014are important policy changes.<\/p>\n \u201cPsychedelic use is on the increase, mainly for personal use and personal health, growth, and wellness,\u201d he said. \u201cPsilocybin is the safest of these substances, the easiest to obtain, and the most prolific in our state and around the country. Vermont has decriminalized possession of buprenorphine without a prescription and has legalized cannabis: both drugs arguably far more detrimental than psilocybin AND both with health benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnett included a graph of \u201charm potential\u201d caused to users and others by various drugs, as rated by experts in the United Kingdom. It shows psilocybin mushrooms as the least risky of any of the specified substances.<\/p>\n Also this week in Vermont, the full Senate passed a bill to legalize and fund a facility in Burlington where people could use currently prohibited substances<\/a> in a medically supervised environment\u2014part of a pilot program aimed at quelling the ongoing epidemic of drug-related deaths.<\/p>\n Lyons described that measure as an evidence-based approach to reducing opioid-related deaths in the state.<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as there\u2019s demand for addictive substances, these problems will persist,\u201d she told colleagues. \u201cH.72 will allow for the establishment of a safe haven for those with addiction at overdose protection centers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that many of you in this body think of this as a controversial topic, and I had been with you for a long time,\u201d Lyons continued. \u201cI had my reservations as this issue was discussed over the past seven years. And now we have a robust body of research having multiple positive effects of overdose prevention centers and no negative ones. It\u2019s time for us to move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Lawmakers in a growing number of other states have also considered psychedelics legislation this session, with many focusing on psilocybin reform and increased research.<\/p>\n For example,\u00a0the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates have both passed legislation to\u00a0create a psychedelics task force responsible for studying possible regulatory frameworks\u00a0for therapeutic access<\/a>\u00a0to substances such as psilocybin, mescaline and DMT, sending the proposal to Gov Wes Moore (D). It would be charged specifically with ensuring \u201cbroad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances\u201d in the state.<\/p>\n And Indiana\u2019s governor recently signed a bill that includes provisions to fund clinical research trials into psilocybin<\/a>.<\/p>\n Utah\u2019s governor, meanwhile, allowed a bill to authorize a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA<\/a>\u00a0as an alternative treatment option to become law without his signature.<\/p>\n Maine lawmakers sent the governor legislation to establish a commission tasked with studying and\u00a0making recommendations on regulating access to psychedelic services<\/a>.<\/p>\n An Arizona House panel also approved a Senate-passed bill to\u00a0legalize psilocybin service centers where people could receive the psychedelic<\/a>\u00a0in a medically supervised setting.<\/p>\n A Connecticut joint legislative panel approved a bill to\u00a0decriminalize possession of psilocybin<\/a>.<\/p>\n A\u00a0bipartisan bill to legalize psychedelic service centers in California<\/a>\u00a0has cleared two Senate committees.<\/p>\n The governor of New Mexico has endorsed a newly enacted resolution\u00a0requesting that state officials research the therapeutic potential of psilocybin<\/a>\u00a0and explore the creation of a regulatory framework to provide access to the psychedelic.<\/p>\n Alaska lawmakers are considering legislation to create a task for to\u00a0study how to regulate access to psychedelics<\/a>\u00a0following federal approval.<\/p>\n An Illinois committee also recently held a hearing to discuss\u00a0a bill to legalize psilocybin and allow regulated access at service centers<\/a>\u00a0in the state\u00a0where adults could use the psychedelic in a supervised setting\u2014with plans to expand the program to include mescaline, ibogaine and DMT.<\/p>\n Lawmakers in Hawaii also considered a bill that would provide some legal protections to patients engaging in psilocybin-assisted therapy<\/a>\u00a0with a medical professional\u2019s approval.<\/p>\n New York lawmakers said that a bill to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy in that state has a \u201creal chance\u201d of passing this year<\/a>.<\/p>\n A Nevada joint legislative committee held a hearing with\u00a0expert and public testimony on the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin<\/a>\u00a0in January. Law enforcement representatives also shared their concerns around legalization\u2014but there was notable acknowledgement that some reforms should be enacted, including possible rescheduling.<\/p>\n The governor of Massachusetts recently\u00a0promoted the testimony of activists who spoke in favor of her veterans-focused bill<\/a>\u00a0that would, in part, create a psychedelics work group to\u00a0study the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocybin<\/a>. Last month a Massachusetts joint legislative committee\u00a0held a hearing to discuss an initiative that would legalize psychedelics<\/a>\u00a0that may appear on the November ballot if lawmakers decline to independently enact it first.<\/p>\n Currently, there are no psychedelic drugs that are federally approved to prescribe as medicine. But that could soon change, as FDA recently agreed to\u00a0review a new drug application for MDMA-assisted therapy<\/a>\u00a0on an expedited basis.<\/p>\n At the start of this year, VA separately issued a request for applications to conduct in-depth research on\u00a0the use of psychedelics to treat PTSD and depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n In October, the agency also launched a new podcast about the future of veteran health care, and\u00a0the first episode of the series focuses on the healing potential of psychedelics<\/a>.<\/p>\n FDA also recently joined scientists at a public meeting on\u00a0next steps for conducting research to develop psychedelic medicines<\/a>. That came months after\u00a0the agency issued historic draft guidance on psychedelics studies<\/a>, providing scientists with a framework to carry out research that could lead to the development of novel medicines.<\/p>\n Meanwhile in Congress this week, a House panel approved GOP-led bill that would instruct the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify Congress if any psychedelics are added to its formulary\u00a0of covered prescription drugs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read the revised version of S. 114<\/a> that was advanced this week by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n GOP Senator Says Marijuana Is A \u2018Gateway Drug,\u2019 And Legalization Is A \u2018Pro-Criminal, Anti-American\u2019 Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n Photo elements courtesy of carlosemmaskype<\/a> and Apollo<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n The post Vermont Psychedelics Working Group Bill Advances In House After Clearing Full Senate<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n
A House committee in Vermont has advanced a bill that, in its current form, would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy working group to make recommendations on whether and how the state should regulate legal access to substances like psilocybin and MDMA. Before passing the measure, which has already cleared the fullContinue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81,126],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75011"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75011"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75011\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75012,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75011\/revisions\/75012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
\n
\nRead More: Vermont Psychedelics Working Group Bill Advances In House After Clearing Full Senate<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"