Washington States Senate Bill 5263 It was introduced on January 11, and passed the House of Representatives on March 9. And from April 14, he received the final approval of the Senate in April 14th. Previously there was some concern about House and Senate approval of some amendments to SB-5263, but the Senate finally approved the text of the new law on Friday and is now heading to the governor for final consideration.
The bill, sponsored by Senators Jesse Salomon and Senator Liz Lovellette, would originally have allowed psilocybin for people 21 or older to obtain and use psilocybin with the help of licensed facilitators. Now, the bill simply implements a dedicated Psilocybin Advisory Board, the Interagency Psilocybin Working Group, and the Psilocybin Task Force, as well as a pilot program through the University of Washington.
the Psilocybin Advisory Council May consist of a variety of individuals, including a Department of Health secretary, policy experts, military veteran with psilocybin knowledge, social worker, mental health counselor, marriage/family therapist, family tribal representative, psychologist, and an individual who specializes in mycology, ethnobotany, psychopharmacology, harm reduction, or scientific research in relation to psychedelic therapy, among others. These individuals serve terms of four years, and will be required to meet five times a year.
Interagency Psilocybin Working Group It will be set up to “provide advice and recommendations” covering everything from the regulatory framework, reviewing indigenous practices, examining various research on the “potential use and abuse of psilocybin therapy”, and developing a program of social opportunities.
finally, Psilocybin Task Force He will enlist many of the same requirements as the Psilocybin Advisory Board to create an inclusive panel of experts who will discuss gaps in scientific research, clinical trials, and more. SB-5263 requires that the Task Force submit a final report to both the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2023.
Additionally, SB-5263 has been expanded with the help of Rep. Nicole McCree. If Inslee signs the bill, that also creates a file University of Washington Clinical Pilot Program It would provide veterans with access to psilocybin treatment if they suffer from PTSD or mood/substance use disorders and “offer psilocybin treatment services through federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pathways.” The program will be set to establish and administer its program by January 1, 2025.
In 2019, Governor Inslee expressed support for the legalization of cannabis, followed by positive support for the decriminalization and/or legalization of psilocybin as well. “I’ll think about it. I haven’t had a chance to think [legalization] So I can’t answer “yes” or “no” said Inslee. “I really believe our war on drugs has had all kinds of undesirable effects, and that’s one of the reasons, for example, that not only have we legalized marijuana in Washington but I’ve pardoned — I’m the first governor to offer pardons for several thousand people with misdemeanor convictions on their records.” “.
according to Seattle TimesSamantha Peskowski, Inslee’s public health policy advisor, told Sen. Salomon in February that “the bill as proposed would create a system for the regulation and use of psilocybin that is not supported by the available scientific and medical evidence.” Now that the bill is focused more on the pilot program, there is hope that Inslee will agree.
said Dr. Anthony Buck, a researcher at the University of Washington who is currently studying psychedelic treatments Seattle Times That this law is passed to help the sick in the state. “I think waiting three years, or waiting another year, doesn’t do justice to the mental health crisis I’m seeing right now,” she said. he said again.
