Washington House Panel Adds in Psilocybin Research Bill Patient Access Provisions
A Washington State House Committee recently amended and then approved a psilocybin bill which will benefit patients.
In March 2023, the House Health Care and Wellness Committee amended and approved a psilocybin bill in a bipartisan 13-4 voice vote. The amendment was brought forward by Representative, Nicole Macri (D). “The bill as it stands takes very thoughtful steps towards a way that we as a state can consider a regulatory framework,” Macri mentioned before the vote started (1). “I like that the advisory group will come back with recommendations to the legislature next session and that, with this pilot that we have added to it, can gain more insight into the applicability of this service.”
The bill is called SB 5263 and was introduced by Senator Jesse Salomon (D) to allow adults ages 21 and older to lawfully use psilocybin in a supervised setting. In its first introduction, a Senate committee removed those provisions in February 2023. SB 5263 specified mainly on research and establish various bodies which would be tasked with reviewing scientific evidence and regulatory options regarding psilocybin, as well as providing recommendations to lawmakers. The amendment Macri pushed for brings the legislative measure closer to legal access.
“I thought we heard incredibly compelling testimony during the hearing about the potential benefits of psilocybin services,” she stated. “Particularly as they apply to people who have experienced trauma or depression that is difficult to treat.”
Before advancing the new legislation, the House Health Care and Wellness Committee passed two other amendments by Macri. The first amendment adjusted the framework of a proposed psilocybin advisory board to include two more individuals, which are a military veteran or veterans’ representative and someone who specializes in social work, mental health, or marriage and family therapy. The second amendment adds back in an option for some individuals to access psilocybin legally. It would also create a pilot program administered by the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington) and would offer psilocybin therapy services through a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved program which would be offered to veterans and first responders ages 21 and older and also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, or substance use disorders.
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