{"id":75961,"date":"2024-06-05T12:31:30","date_gmt":"2024-06-05T20:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/06\/05\/ahead-of-hearing-on-new-jersey-psilocybin-bill-majority-of-state-residents-back-legalization-for-therapeutic-use-in-new-poll\/"},"modified":"2024-06-05T12:45:38","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T20:45:38","slug":"ahead-of-hearing-on-new-jersey-psilocybin-bill-majority-of-state-residents-back-legalization-for-therapeutic-use-in-new-poll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/06\/05\/ahead-of-hearing-on-new-jersey-psilocybin-bill-majority-of-state-residents-back-legalization-for-therapeutic-use-in-new-poll\/","title":{"rendered":"Ahead Of Hearing On New Jersey Psilocybin Bill, Majority Of State Residents Back Legalization For Therapeutic Use In New Poll"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ahead of a New Jersey hearing on Thursday on a bill to legalize psilocybin and establish a system of licensed businesses to provide supervised access to the psychedelic, a new survey indicates that a majority of state residents agree with making it available for therapeutic use.<\/p>\n

The poll, from Stockton University\u2019s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, found that 55 percent of respondents support legalizing psilocybin for medical use with a under doctor\u2019s supervision. Just 20 percent of respondents were opposed, while 24 percent said they weren\u2019t sure. One percent of respondents refused to answer the question.<\/p>\n

Younger residents\u2014those between the ages of 18 and 49\u2014as well as Democrats showed higher rates of support.<\/p>\n

Despite the majority support for legalization of medical access, more respondents said they had a negative view generally of psychedelic drugs (32 percent) than a positive view (19 percent). Nearly half (47 percent) said they were neutral or had no opinion, and 2 percent weren\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n

In terms of personal use, 16 percent of respondents said they\u2019d ever consumed psilocybin or other psychedelic drugs, like LSD or MDMA. Far more\u201482 percent\u2014said they\u2019d never tried psychedelics, and 2 percent refused the question.<\/p>\n

About half (46 percent) said they knew someone who\u2019d used psychedelic drugs, and about half (49 percent) said they didn\u2019t. Four percent weren\u2019t sure, and 1 percent refused the question.<\/p>\n

Most respondents (57 percent) also said they would be more likely to support the medical use of psilocybin if medical studies demonstrate it\u2019s safe and effective. But 26 percent said such evidence would be unpersuasive to them. Another 16 percent weren\u2019t sure, and 1 percent refused to answer.<\/p>\n

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Hughes Center Research Evaluates Effectiveness and Public Support for Medicinal Mushrooms https:\/\/t.co\/8qMqmgGDvK<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JPTOHiqG10<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Stockton Hughes Center (@HughesCenter) May 29, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Asked whether they themselves had ever felt the need to be treated for depression, anxiety and\/or PTSD, just under a third (30 percent) said they had. Another 69 percent said they hadn\u2019t felt the need for treatment, while 2 percent weren\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hughes Center aims to be at the forefront of new, and perhaps lesser-known, policy discussions,\u201d Hughes Center Interim Director Alyssa Maurice said in a statement about the findings. \u201cWe hope this report adds to the public discourse around this topic and helps New Jersey residents feel more informed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Polling took place in February and March of this year and the results were published last week.<\/p>\n

The Hughes Center report also included separate findings<\/a> on the efficacy and safety of psilocybin, noting for example that psilocybin-assisted therapy \u201chas shown significant anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects that have been replicated across multiple randomized clinical trials.\u201d<\/p>\n

Use in a controlled, professionally supervised environment, it adds, \u201cseems to pose minimal risks for physical and psychological harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClinical researchers have established safety guidelines to govern the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy,\u201d says a summary of the findings, \u201cwhich includes a set of criteria that should be used to determine who is a good candidate for this type of treatment, standards for the minimum number of supervisors, proper training and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The new report comes as New Jersey lawmakers prepare to consider a bill, S.2283<\/a>, that would legalize psilocybin in the state. The state\u2019s Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee is set to have a hearing<\/a> on the measure Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n

If approved, the legislation from Senate President Nick Scutari (D) and Sen. Joe Vitale (D) would legalize the possession, home cultivation and gifting of psilocybin mushrooms for adults 21 and older while also creating a system of licensed businesses to provide access to psilocybin services in supervised settings.<\/p>\n

A companion bill, A.3852<\/a>, has also been introduced in the Assembly by Assemblymembers Herb Conaway Jr. (D), Clinton Calabrese (D) and Anthony Verrelli (D).<\/p>\n

The new measures appear to be identical to legislation filed last session by Scutari and other lawmakers. That bill was heard by the same Senate committee a year ago<\/a> but did not proceed further.<\/p>\n

Under the Senate president\u2019s bill as introduced, the state would move to create psilocybin treatment centers where adults 21 and older could visit to receive the psychedelic therapy.<\/p>\n

It would also make it legal for adults to \u201cpossess, store, use, ingest, inhale, process, transport, deliver without consideration, or distribute without consideration, four grams or less of psilocybin.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will also not be unlawful for a person over 21 years of age to grow, cultivate, or process plants or fungi capable of producing psilocybin for personal use, or to possess the psilocybin produced if the plants and fungi are kept on the grounds of a private home or residence and are kept secure from access by persons under 21 years of age,\u201d the measure says.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s an especially notable provision, as New Jersey\u2019s marijuana laws do not permit adults\u2014or even medical cannabis patients\u2014to grow their own plants for personal use, much to the frustration of reform advocates.<\/p>\n

The new measure would significantly expand on legislation Scutari introduced in late 2020 to reduce penalties for possession of up to one ounce of psilocybin that was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D)<\/a> in 2021.<\/p>\n

People with convictions for conduct would be made legal under the bill could petition courts for resentencing or expungements.<\/p>\n

With respect to the psilocybin services program, the bill lays out basic regulations, including licensing requirements. There would be four license types\u2014product manufacturers, service center operators, testing laboratories and service facilitators\u2014in addition to psilocybin workers permits. The state Department of Health (DOH) would be responsible for overseeing the program and licensing.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also equity built into the proposed licensing system. Manufacturing, service center and testing applicants would be eligible for a \u201csocial opportunity program\u201d if they meet the following criteria: an applicant must be at least 51 percent ownership by people who\u2019ve lived in an economically distressed area for five of the past 10 years and have more than 10 full-time employees (with more than half of those workers also living in a low-income area).<\/p>\n

DOH would be tasked with developing the social opportunity program in coordination with an 18-member Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Advisory Board that would be established within the department.<\/p>\n

Members of that board would have to include the health commissioner, deputy commissioner for public health services, the state attorney general (or their designees). Those would be ex officio, non-voting members. Additionally, the board would be comprised of a representative of the states Cannabis Regulatory Commission and 12 governor-appointed members with relevant experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of the board will be to provide advice and recommendations to the DOH, upon request or upon the board\u2019s own initiative, concerning the implementation of the bill,\u201d the text says. Recommendations would be related to issues such as public education, research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, guidelines for psychedelic services, health and safety standards and more.<\/p>\n

Regarding local control for the psilocybin proposal, the bill says that county or municipal governments \u201cmay adopt, by ordinance, reasonable regulations on the operation of psilocybin product manufacturers and psilocybin service centers located within that county or municipality.\u201d<\/p>\n

It prevents the creation of local taxes, however, providing that \u201cNo county or municipality will be authorized to establish any taxes or fees on the manufacture or sale of psilocybin products or the provision of psilocybin services.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014
\nMarijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong>
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\nLearn more about our marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.
\n\u2014<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Lawmakers in a growing number of other states have also considered psychedelics legislation this session, with many focusing on psilocybin.<\/p>\n

In New York, lawmakers last month introduced a bill that would legalize psilocybin for adults so long as they obtain a permit and undergo a health screening and educational course<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The intent of that measure is to promote \u201cthe health and well-being of the citizens of the state of New York by establishing a comprehensive framework supporting public health and safety through regulated adult use, support services, and cultivation of psilocybin-containing fungi,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n

In February, bicameral New York lawmakers said at a briefing that\u00a0there\u2019s a \u201creal chance\u201d that legislation to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy will advance<\/a>\u00a0through committee this session, emphasizing that delaying action would \u201cneglect\u201d many \u201cpeople who need help\u201d with certain mental health conditions.<\/p>\n

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed legislation last month to create a psychedelics task force responsible for studying possible regulatory frameworks\u00a0for therapeutic access<\/a>\u00a0to substances such as psilocybin, mescaline and DMT. It would be charged specifically with ensuring \u201cbroad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances\u201d in the state.<\/p>\n

Vermont\u2019s governor also recently signed into law a measure that would establish a working group to study whether and how to allow therapeutic access to psychedelics\u00a0in the state<\/a>. A report from the working group is due to the legislature in November with recommendations on how to regulate the substances.<\/p>\n

Indiana also recently adopted a law that includes provisions to fund clinical research trials into psilocybin<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Utah\u2019s governor allowed a bill to\u00a0authorize a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA<\/a>\u00a0as an alternative treatment option to become law without his signature.<\/p>\n

And in New Mexico, the governor has endorsed a newly enacted resolution requesting 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

\n

GOP Congressman Will Attempt To Remove Marijuana Banking Protections From Spending Bill Due To \u2018Overwhelming\u2019 Concerns<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Photo courtesy of Wikimedia\/Workman<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

The post Ahead Of Hearing On New Jersey Psilocybin Bill, Majority Of State Residents Back Legalization For Therapeutic Use In New Poll<\/a> appeared first on Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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Ahead of a New Jersey hearing on Thursday on a bill to legalize psilocybin and establish a system of licensed businesses to provide supervised access to the psychedelic, a new survey indicates that a majority of state residents agree with making it available for therapeutic use. The poll, from StocktonContinue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":75962,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,126],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75961"}],"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=75961"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75961\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":75963,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75961\/revisions\/75963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}