States Across the US Look to Make Headway on Psychedelics Reform in 2023

As the new year begins, it's clear that psychedelics policy will be a major issue in state legislatures across the country. Lawmakers in nearly a dozen states are already pursuing psychedelics reform legislation for the 2023 session, with proposals ranging from legalizing psilocybin for therapeutic use to decriminalizing natural plants and fungi across the board.

From Connecticut to California, reform efforts are well underway. In California, Sen. Scott Wiener recently refiled a bill to legalize possession of certain psychedelics after his last attempt was derailed in the eleventh hour of the 2022 session. The measure would legalize the “possession, preparation, obtaining, transfer, as specified, or transportation of” specific amounts of psilocybin, psilocyn, DMT, ibogaine and mescaline for personal or facilitated use. Notably, “synthetic” psychedelics like LSD and MDMA would not be legalized, unlike under the provisions of the previous version of Wiener’s legislation.

Colorado has been a leader in psychedelics reform, with Denver becoming the first city in the US to decriminalize psilocybin in 2019. In November, voters in the state approved a historic ballot initiative to legalize certain entheogenic substances and create psilocybin “healing centers”. As the state moves forward with implementing the legalization law, Governor Jared Polis says that lawmakers may need to pass additional enabling legislation to prevent any negative consequences.

In Connecticut, Rep. David Michel introduced a placeholder psychedelics bill on Monday, describing his intent to file formal legislation to legalize “the use of psilocybin for medicinal and therapeutic purposes”. Michel will also champion a separate psychedelics decriminalization measure with Rep. Josh Elliott.

As more and more states consider psychedelics reform, it's clear that this is an issue that is gaining momentum and support from both sides of the aisle. From relieving mental health conditions to reducing the targeting of certain communities, the benefits of psychedelics reform are becoming increasingly clear. Stay tuned as we follow this developing story and see what comes of these proposals.