Pursuing Progress and Safety for Access to Psychedelic Therapy
Dear supporter,
It’s with a heavy heart that I begin this newsletter with the news of the passing of psychedelic research icon, Roland Griffiths. There is absolutely no question that the progress the psychedelic community has made over the past decade at local, state and national levels would not have been possible without the totality of incredible contributions from Roland Griffths. We stand on his shoulders, and we are lucky to be making important strides towards safe and affordable access to psychedelic therapy.
We have made historic progress in spearheading the official launch of the nation’s first licensed and regulated psilocybin therapy program in Oregon that has now served over 500 hundred clients just within the past few months. We are also approaching an important milestone in our work - the 3 year anniversary of the passing of Oregon’s Measure 109, and the 1 year anniversary of Colorado’s Proposition 122.
As we approach that incredible milestone, I’ll be the first to say that progress is not linear.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently vetoed a psychedelic decriminalization bill in California. While I’m deeply disappointed by the results of this veto, the fact that this bill even made it to the Governor’s desk is a historic moment that should be seen as a silver lining for the psychedelic movement nationally. In his statement, the Governor mentioned that he’d like to see strides made towards introducing and passing (and fingers crossed, signing) a bill that would allow therapeutic access for the state of California. I’m hopeful that this opportunity will open doors for increased access to psychedelic healing for so many in need.
We look forward to working with California’s Governor, the Legislature, and stakeholders to show them how both Oregon and Colorado are leading the way in creating safe and affordable access through state-regulated models.
Onward,
Sam Chapman
Executive Director
Sam@HealingAdvocacyFund.org
UPDATES
Up to Date Numbers on Oregon Psilocybin Services Program Licensing
The following information has been compiled through the OHA’s Psilocybin Services website.
These numbers are updated on a weekly basis and are subject to change. Last updated 10/16/23.
Watch the HAF Webinar on Dosing, Potency, and Safety in Oregon's Psilocybin Program.
A top priority for HAF continues to be prioritizing the safety of clients before, during, and after psilocybin administration sessions. In our recent webinar on Dosing, Potency, and Safety in Oregon, facilitated by Bob Jesse with leading experts from the field, we unpacked several potential issues identified by the HAF Oregon Safety Committee, and relayed updates about current challenges and opportunities related to client safety within Oregon’s program.
Experts included in the webinar were:
Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, a scientist and educator with background and training in pharmacology, chemistry, toxicology, and neuroscience
Steve Elfrink, HAF Safety Committee member, licensed facilitator, and recipient of largest psilocybin dose in a published clinical trial
The founders of two licensed service centers and licensed facilitators, Dee Lafferty, from Inner Guidance Services, and Ryan Reid of Drop Thesis service center and advisor to Bendable Therapy.
> Watch the full webinar here.
Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is Hiring a Natural Medicine Policy Analyst
Almost a year after Colorado voters approved historic changes to the state’s laws around naturally occurring psychedelics under Prop 122, Colorado’s state-regulated access program for psilocybin therapy and personal use is starting to take shape. With rulemaking set to begin in early 2024, the Natural Medicine Advisory Board seems to be on track for their first major deadline – presenting initial draft recommendations on October 20th, 2023.
The NMAB has combed through Oregon’s regulations, taking appropriate steps to adopt certain components and modifying others - including proposing a licensing system that incorporates pre-existing mental health professionals, creating a framework that will allow those with professional mental health experience to use their skills as facilitators, and walking back some of the testing frequency requirements to reduce the regulatory burden on small cultivators.
The board has proposed and reviewed dozens of ideas to support equity and access from the program onset – including grants, loans and mentorship programs. Additionally, they have been grappling with the best way to honor and/or license indigenous and legacy practitioners with accelerator training programs and test-out options.
> Read the full report here
Colorado Natural Medicine Division Moves into Second Round of Listening Sessions
The Natural Medicine Division in Colorado’s Department of Revenue (DOR) concluded its first round of listening sessions in early October, which presented the first open opportunity for members of the public to speak directly to state regulators as they consider rules for Colorado’s psilocybin therapies program. The sessions covered multi- and first-responder training; public education campaigns; and psilocybin mushroom cultivation, manufacture and testing. The dates for the next round have not yet been published online, but DOR representatives said at the last full NMAB meeting that they will begin in November and cover data collection, inventory tracking, packaging and labeling, and business and licensing considerations.
> Sign up for Natural Medicine Division updates here
Banking Services Available Through the National Psychedelic Association
The National Psychedelics Association is partnering with an FDIC-member bank to provide banking services tailored to licensed service centers, training programs, and facilitators in the psychedelics industry.
> Reach out to learn more
EVENTS
Join Us at reMind Psychedelics Business Forum
Join us this November at the reMind Psychedelics Business Forum in Las Vegas. This 2-day conference and networking event will address the most important topics in the industry today, including the latest market trends, consumer insights, policy updates, and investment advice — as well as the biggest opportunities and challenges in state-regulated markets like Oregon and Colorado.
> Register today
(Get 20% off with code REMSCHAPMAN20)
Open House for Mental Health Care Providers
Oregon Mental Health Care Providers: Join Inner Guidance Services and Life Trek LLC to learn about their Psilocybin Service Center on October 20th, from 12-7pm.
For more information or to RSVP, contact info@innerguidanceinc.com
Registration Open for Horizons Northwest
Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics
Portland, Oregon: December 1-3
Featuring talks on Psychedelics in Science and Medicine, Psychedelics in America and in the World. Speakers to be announced throughout August and September.
> Horizons Northwest Information and Registration
IN THE NEWS
Oregon Allows Legal 'Magic Mushrooms' Access to Improve Mental Health
ABC News
An organization in Oregon is working to revolutionize mental health treatment, by making legal psilocybin, also known as "magic mushrooms," accessible to the public.
Oregon's New Psilocybin Service Center Invites Public to Try Psychedelic Mushrooms
PBS News Hour
Psilocybin tea, wind chimes and a tie-dye mattress await those coming to an office suite in Eugene to trip on magic mushrooms. For roughly six hours, adults over 21 can experience what many users describe as vivid geometric shapes, a loss of identity and a oneness with the universe. Epic Healing Eugene — Oregon’s first licensed psilocybin service center — opened in June, marking the state’s unprecedented step in offering the mind-bending drug to the public. The center now has a waitlist of more than 3,000 names, including people with depression, PTSD or end-of-life dread.
Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson Says Legal Psychedelic Therapy Should be Paid for with Universal Healthcare System
Marijuana Moment
Marianne Williamson, a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, says the federal government should “fully legalize” certain psychedelics like psilocybin for therapeutic use and cover the costs for patients under a universal healthcare system.
In a new plan focused on mental health, Williamson laid out 10 proposals that she said would help address the country’s “record levels of suicide, depression, anxiety, and toxic stress.” That includes legalizing psychedelic-assisted therapy with full insurance coverage.