{"id":85201,"date":"2026-01-21T06:44:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T14:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2026\/01\/21\/new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-creating-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-and-allocating-6-million-to-psychedelic-treatment-effort\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T19:47:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T03:47:28","slug":"new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-creating-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-and-allocating-6-million-to-psychedelic-treatment-effort","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2026\/01\/21\/new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-creating-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-and-allocating-6-million-to-psychedelic-treatment-effort\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Governor Signs Bill Creating Psilocybin Therapy Pilot Program And Allocating $6 Million To Psychedelic Treatment Effort"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank-31.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1500\"> <\/p>\n<p>On his last day in office, New Jersey\u2019s outgoing governor signed bill to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-legislature-passes-bill-to-create-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-sending-it-to-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">create a psilocybin therapy pilot program and allocate $6 million<\/a> in funding to support the psychedelic treatment effort.<\/p>\n<p>Following its passage by the legislature last week, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the measure into law as one of his final acts in office, hours before new Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) was sworn in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStudies conducted by nationally and internationally recognized medical institutions indicate that psilocybin has shown efficacy, tolerability, and safety in the treatment of a variety of behavioral health conditions,\u201d the bill\u2019s findings sections says, \u201cincluding, but not limited to, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari (D) and Sen. Joseph Vitale (D), along with Assemblymembers Clinton Calabrese (D) and Anthony S. Verrelli (D), will create an 11-member Psychedelic Therapy and Research Advisory Board to oversee the new Psilocybin Behavioral Health Services Pilot Program.<\/p>\n<p>Within 180 days of enactment, the Department of Health will be required to issue a request for proposals from hospitals that want to participate. One hospital from each of three geographic regions of the state will then be selected to receive $2 million to support psilocybin trials.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnder no circumstance shall the department establish, implement, or enforce a requirement, specification, or guideline under the pilot program that conflicts with protocols and guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration related to clinical trials for psychedelic substances,\u201d the bill \u00a0says.<\/p>\n<p>After the two-year pilot program is completed, officials will need to submit reports to the governor and legislature including \u201crecommendations concerning the continuation or expansion of the pilot program\u201d as well as \u201crecommendations as to the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for State and local regulation of psilocybin to provide access in New Jersey for individuals who could benefit and that considers efficacy, safety, and affordability.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njleg.state.nj.us\/bill-search\/2024\/S2283\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">legislation<\/a> as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.njleg.state.nj.us\/bill-search\/2024\/A3852\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">introduced<\/a> would have more broadly legalized psilocybin for adult use, making it legal for adults to \u201cpossess, store, use, ingest, inhale, process, transport, deliver without consideration, or distribute without consideration, four grams or less of\u201d the psychedelic, it was scaled back during its advancement through the process.<\/p>\n<p>The amended measure as enacted nevertheless expands on legislation introduced in late 2020 to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-governor-signs-psilocybin-bill-to-immediately-reduce-penalties-for-possession\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">reduce penalties for possession of up to one ounce of psilocybin<\/a>. That reform was signed into law by Murphy in 2021.<\/p>\n<p>Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D), who chairs the Assembly Appropriations Committee, described the current amended bill last month as a \u201cfirst step.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI mean, you\u2019ve heard the testimony here,\u201d she said, referring to witnesses who argued that broader reform is needed. \u201cThis bill creates an advisory board that will be able to make determinations\u2014for instance, whether it should be natural mushrooms or synthetic mushrooms. So that option is still on the table. It\u2019s a pilot program and we want to get started to make sure that, as you heard, people who really need to be treated\u201d can get access.<\/p>\n<p>A survey of New Jersey residents in 2024 indicated that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/ahead-of-hearing-on-new-jersey-psilocybin-bill-majority-of-state-residents-back-legalization-for-therapeutic-use-in-new-poll\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\">a majority of state residents agree with making psilocybin available for therapeutic use<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The poll, from Stockton University\u2019s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, found that 55 percent of respondents supported legalizing psilocybin for medical use under a 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<p><strong>\u2014<br \/>\nMarijuana Moment is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">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><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank-30.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/>\n\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>New Jersey lawmakers have filed several cannabis reform bills for the new 2026 session.<\/p>\n<p>That includes measures to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/home-cultivation-of-marijuana-would-be-legalized-in-new-jersey-under-lawmakers-proposals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">legalize home cultivation of marijuana in New Jersey<\/a> and to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-marijuana-businesses-could-engage-in-interstate-commerce-under-senate-presidents-new-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">allow cannabis companies to engage in interstate commerce<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Sherrill, the newly sworn-in governor, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-marijuana-businesses-could-engage-in-interstate-commerce-under-senate-presidents-new-bill\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">supports legalizing cannabis homegrow<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-officials-share-tips-for-marijuana-use-at-newly-opened-consumption-lounges\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">New Jersey\u2019s first marijuana consumption lounges opened up last summer<\/a>, regulators shared information about where to find the sites and offered tips about how to responsibly use cannabis at the licensed businesses\u2014including classic stoner cultural customs like \u201cpuff, puff, pass.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>New Jersey officials have also completed the curriculum of a no-cost marijuana training academy that\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-officials-celebrate-completion-of-marijuana-training-academy-curriculum-to-help-people-enter-the-legal-industry\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">meant to support entrepreneurs interested in entering the cannabis industry<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-creating-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-and-allocating-6-million-to-psychedelic-treatment-effort\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">New Jersey Governor Signs Bill Creating Psilocybin Therapy Pilot Program And Allocating $6 Million To Psychedelic Treatment Effort<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#013;<br \/>\n&#013;<br \/>\nRead More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-creating-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-and-allocating-6-million-to-psychedelic-treatment-effort\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">New Jersey Governor Signs Bill Creating Psilocybin Therapy Pilot Program And Allocating  Million To Psychedelic Treatment Effort<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On his last day in office, New Jersey\u2019s outgoing governor signed bill to create a psilocybin therapy pilot program and allocate $6 million in funding to support the psychedelic treatment effort. Following its passage by the legislature last week, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the measure into law as one<span class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2026\/01\/21\/new-jersey-governor-signs-bill-creating-psilocybin-therapy-pilot-program-and-allocating-6-million-to-psychedelic-treatment-effort\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":459,"featured_media":85202,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85201"}],"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\/459"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85201"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85201\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85203,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85201\/revisions\/85203"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/85202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}