Months Away From The World’s First Psilocybin Therapy Program
Incredible progress has been made on creating thorough and thoughtful rules for Oregon’s psilocybin program, and the country’s first psilocybin therapy program will be ready to launch services in 2023.
After listening sessions in the spring, the Governor-appointed Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board set rules around psilocybin products, testing and training in July. The next phase of rulemaking sessions are scheduled for September, for adoption by the end of the year. Training and licensing for the industry will happen in the first part of 2023 and by the latter half of the year, we expect veterans, people in hospice or palliative care, and those experiencing substance use disorder, severe anxiety or depression will be able to access this new breakthrough therapy.
Psilocybin Services Implementation Timeline
In January 2023, OHA will begin accepting applications and issuing licenses to:
Facilitate psilocybin service administration sessions
Operate of psilocybin service centers
Manufacture psilocybin products
Test psilocybin products
Seventeen of the 20 most populous cities in Oregon will allow legal access to psilocybin services, as will many counties around the state.
Some counties and cities around the state have been deliberating whether and how to adopt additional time, place and manner regulations for psilocybin services in their local jurisdictions. Other counties and cities (particularly where Measure 109 was not carried by a majority of voters) have decided to put psilocybin services back on the ballot for local voters to decide once more.
There were some encouraging wins in the local rollout process. Rural Yamhill County decided to move forward after two commissioners who were originally opposed learned more about psilocybin therapy and listened to the testimony of their constituents and the County Sheriff. Washington County (one of the three counties making up the Portland Metro area) held an informative public hearing full of testimony supporting psilocybin therapy, and adopted the program afterwards.
As a result of advocates and supporters speaking up across the state, we estimate over 2 million people in Oregon will have access to psilocybin therapy in their community.
“We have other treatments that are non-synthetic drug related treatments that are effective, and I have really come full circle on this and realize that this is something that is in line with those other treatments.”
— Lindsay Berschauer, Yamhill County Commissioner
Relevant Deadlines:
August 19, 2022 – Local Government Opt-Out filing deadline for November 2022 election
November 8, 2022 – Election Day
January 2, 2023 – Licensing Applications open for Psilocybin Businesses
Horizons Northwest Perspectives on Psychedelics Conference
September 15 – 18, 2022
REGISTER for Horizons NW, use discount code HAF-NW-15 for 15% off.
Oregon is hosting the Horizons Northwest conference, which will feature five days of learning, connection, and community that explores the many dimensions of psychedelics. All programs are full days from 9am – 6pm PST held in-person at the Portland Art Museum and live streamed for virtual attendance.
Oregon Psilocybin Fall Business Forum
October 19, 2022, 9am – 5pm
Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) is partnering with the Secretary of State's Office of Small Business Assistance to host a virtual Psilocybin Fall Business Forum.