By of Washington Senate Bill 5263 It was introduced on January 11th and passed by the House of Representatives on March 9th. April 14thPreviously, there were concerns that the House and Senate would agree to certain amendments to SB-5263, but finally the text of the new bill was approved by the Senate on Friday and is now for final consideration. sent to the governor.
The bill, sponsored by Senators Jesse Salomon and Liz Labrett, initially allowed people over the age of 21 to obtain and use psilocybin with the support of licensed facilitators. Currently, the bill only implements a pilot program by a dedicated Psilocybin Advisory Board, Interagency Psilocybin Working Group, Psilocybin Task Force, and the University of Washington.
of Psilocybin Advisory Board Health secretary, policy expert, veteran with knowledge of psilocybin, social worker, mental health counselor, marriage/family therapist, family tribal representative, psychologist, and mycologist, ethnobotanist, psychopharmacologist, Individuals who specialize in things like harm reduction or scientific research into psychedelic therapy. These individuals must serve a four-year term and meet five times a year.
Interagency Psilocybin Work Group To “provide advice and recommendations” covering everything from regulatory frameworks, reviews of indigenous practices, research into various studies on “the use and potential misuse of psilocybin therapy,” and development of social opportunity programs is created in
finally, Psilocybin Task Force Engaging many of the same requirements as the Psilocybin Advisory Board to create a comprehensive panel of experts to discuss gaps in scientific research, clinical trials, and more. SB-5263 requires the task force to submit a final report to both the Governor and Congress by her December 1, 2023.
Additionally, SB-5263 was expanded with the help of Rep. Nicole Macri. If Inslee signs the bill, University of Washington Clinical Trial Program Provide access to psilocybin treatment for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or mood/substance use disorder and provide psilocybin treatment services through channels approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) This program is set to establish and administer the program by January 1, 2025.
In 2019, Gov. Inslee expressed support for cannabis legalization, followed by positive support for the decriminalization and/or legalization of psilocybin. “I’ll look into it. I haven’t had a chance to think [legalization] So I can’t give you “yes” or “no”. ” Inslee said“I believe our war on drugs has had all sorts of nasty repercussions. For example, not only have we legalized marijuana in Washington, but it’s one of the reasons I offered a pardon. I am the first governor to offer amnesty to thousands of people with misdemeanor convictions on record.”
according to Seattle Times, Inslee’s public health policy adviser, Samantha Pskowski, told Senator Salomon in February that “the proposed bill would not allow for the regulation and use of psilocybin, which is not supported by the available scientific and medical evidence.” We will create a system,” he said. Inslee is expected to agree, as the bill focuses on pilot programs.
Anthony Buck, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Washington who is currently working on psychedelic therapy research, said: Seattle Times This bill should be passed to help patients in the state. “I don’t think waiting three years or even more years justifies the mental health crisis I’m seeing now. Buck said.
