Last month, Oregon became the first state in the US to legalize psilocybin mushrooms as a therapeutic treatment. Now, the state is recruiting for a 16-member Oregon psilocybin Therapy Board to design the requirements, specifications, and guidelines for psilocybin therapy in the state.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released the criteria for prospective members of the upcoming advisory board. There, they specify that physicians, psychologists, public health experts, scientific researchers, and representatives of state agencies, including OHA, may apply. They also invited those with experience in mycology, ethnobotany, psychopharmacology, and psilocybin harm reduction to apply, alongside members of the general public and representatives of Indian tribes.
The OHA aims to establish the advisory board before January 2021, when they will begin the two-year process of specifying safety, practice, and training standards, alongside licensing specifications for facilitators, service centers, manufacturers, and testing laboratories. Following this process, they expect the therapy to be available in the first half of 2023.
The creation of the board and criteria for its membership were stipulated under Measure 109, a bill that received the popular vote in Oregon in November. The bill also specified access to psilocybin-based therapy in a clinical context for adults over the age of 21 without any limitation on the type of condition to be treated.
“We’re so pleased in the investment outlined in the Governor’s budget yesterday, which begins the important, two-year process to ensure that Oregon creates a safe, effective and equitable psilocybin therapy program,” said Sam Chapman, who was the Measure 109 campaign manager and will now work on implementing the program.
“I look forward to working with the Governor, Legislature and the Oregon Health Authority in the months ahead to ensure a responsible implementation that prioritizes accessibility while maximizing safety."
Sources: Marijuana Moment, Yes 109, Oregon.gov
