Oregon regulators announced last week the state’s first license holder for a psilocybin service center, made possible thanks to a voter-approved measure nearly three years ago.
Oregon Psilocybin Services, an arm of the Oregon Health Authority, said Friday that it has issued a license to EPIC Healing Eugene.
“We want to congratulate Cathy Jonas of EPIC Healing Eugene for being the first licensed service center in the state,” He said Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) Division Director Angie Albee. “This is a historic moment as psilocybin services will soon be available in Oregon, and we appreciate the strong commitment to customer safety and access as our service center doors prepare to open.”
In a statement of her own, Jonas said the company is “excited to be the first licensed service center in Oregon and to be able to open our doors to the many clients who will benefit from psychedelic-assisted conversion therapy in a safe and nurturing space,” As reported by local news station KGW.
Fifty percent of Oregon voters approved of Measure 109 in 2020, making the state in the country the first to legalize psilocybin, while 44 percent of voters opposed the proposal.
In Friday’s announcement, The Oregon Health Authority explained exactly how the new program would work, and how individuals could obtain such treatment:
Under the statewide model, clients who are 21 or older can access psilocybin services. While they will not need prescriptions or referrals from healthcare providers, clients must first complete a preparatory session with a licensed facilitator if they meet criteria. Moving forward, they may participate in an administration session at an authorized service center, where they may consume psilocybin products in the presence of a trained, licensed facilitator.Afterwards, customers may choose to join optional integration sessions, which provide opportunities to connect to community resources and peer support networks for additional support. Once licensed, Service Centers may hire and/or contract with licensed facilitators who are trained to deliver onboarding, administration, and integration sessions to clients.Service Centers will sell psilocybin products that have been produced by licensed manufacturers and tested by licensed labs.To date, OPS has issued Three manufacturing licenses, one laboratory license, five facilitators licenses, and 84 worker permits. OPS expects to issue more licenses and worker permits in the coming months.”
late last yearThe Oregon Health Authority approved the final list of rules and regulations for psilocybin service centers, which included an option for smaller doses and other restrictions on the duration of sessions.
“[Oregon Psilocybin Services] received more than 200 written comments and six hours of comments shared in public hearings during the public comment period in November 2022,” wrote André Urs, director of the Center for Health Protection, and Allbee.
“This feedback helped refine and improve the rules, which have now been approved as final. The final rules are a starting point for the first regulatory framework in the country for psilocybin services, and we will continue to evaluate and develop this work as we move into the future.”
In April, the Oregon Health Authority issued licenses for the state’s first laboratory to test psilocybin products to Rose City Laboratories, LLC.
“We want to congratulate Rose City Laboratories, LLC for being the first authorized laboratory to test psilocybin products from licensed manufacturers,” Albee said at the time. “Laboratory testing ensures the safety of psilocybin products, and accurate labeling of psilocybin efficacy allows customers to participate in administration sessions with products that meet their needs.”
