Why it matters: The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed an omnibus health finance bill that contains provisions to create a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to advise the state’s legislature on the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine. The task force would survey existing studies in the scientific literature on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions and apply necessary changes that apply to legalization, as well as educate the public regarding legislative recommendations.
What they are saying: The task force would include a varied panel of experts, such as the governor and state attorney general, as well as military veterans and others who suffer from mental health conditions. One of the authors of the task force bill, Minnesota Rep. Andy Smith, explained the importance of the bill to KIMT3. “These drugs…have incredible potential to help people who are suffering from depression and at a much cheaper cost. Antidepressants are expensive…and these drugs you can usually take them much cheaper.”
The big picture: If passed into law, the task force would be directed to submit two reports to specific individuals who oversee health and human services. The reports would include the task force’s findings, as well as a plan of action to enforce legalization. The first report would be due by February 1, 2024, and the second would need to be submitted no later than January 1, 2025.
What to watch: Much remains in the proposal stage at this time, and both the cannabis and psychedelics bills must still pass through additional rounds of scrutiny before being enacted. Nevertheless, considering that psilocybin has already been decriminalized in multiple cities, it is expected that more states will begin to look at legalizing the substance for medical purposes.
Your take: What are your thoughts on Minnesota’s move to create a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force? Do you think it could eventually pave the way for legalization of psychedelics for medical treatments in other states?
