Overview: HB 1809, authorizing the medical use of psilocybin through a program established in the department of health and human services.
Status: To Be Introduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs HJ 1
Introduced: January 09, 2025
Purpose and Intent: The main goal of HB 1809 is to legalize and regulate the medical use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms. The intent is to provide patients with a new therapeutic option for the treatment of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Key Provisions:
- Establishes a psilocybin therapy program within the state's Department of Health and Human Services
- Allows licensed healthcare providers to prescribe and administer psilocybin to qualifying patients
- Requires the department to develop safety protocols, training standards, and other regulations for the program
- Specifies that psilocybin therapy must be conducted in a controlled, supervised clinical setting
- Protects patients from criminal penalties for the possession and use of psilocybin under the program
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Patients suffering from mental health conditions who may benefit from psilocybin-assisted therapy
- Healthcare providers, such as psychiatrists and therapists, who would be able to offer psilocybin treatment
- The state's public health and regulatory agencies, which would be responsible for overseeing the new program
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
The bill is scheduled to be introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs committee. This indicates the legislation is still in the early stages of the process and may undergo further revisions and debate before potentially being enacted.
