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Bill

HB 1347

Psilocybin; Board of Pharmacy to promulgate regulations.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Laura Jane Cohen and 1 co-sponsor

Virginia directs its Board of Pharmacy to create regulations enabling controlled access to psilocybin, positioning the state to explore therapeutic use despite federal prohibition.

Senate substitute agreed to by House (96-Y 0-N 0-A)
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Bill Summary · HB 1347

Legislative bill overview

HB 1347 directs Virginia's Board of Pharmacy to develop and implement regulations governing psilocybin—a controlled psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms. The bill establishes the regulatory framework necessary for potential therapeutic or medical use of psilocybin under state law, though it does not itself legalize psilocybin use.

Why is this important

This bill represents a significant shift in drug policy, positioning Virginia to potentially join other states exploring psilocybin's medical applications, particularly for mental health conditions like depression and PTSD. The regulatory framework would determine how—and whether—psilocybin can be accessed, produced, and distributed within the state, affecting patients, healthcare providers, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal-state conflict: Psilocybin remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, creating legal ambiguity between state authorization and federal prohibition that could expose practitioners and patients to federal prosecution
  • Medical evidence standards: Disagreement over whether current clinical evidence sufficiently demonstrates safety and efficacy to justify regulated medical access
  • Implementation scope: Uncertainty about whether regulations will permit therapeutic use, research only, or broader access, and how restrictive the Board of Pharmacy's rules will be
  • Public health concerns: Questions about dosing protocols, screening for contraindicated conditions, and addiction/abuse potential in a regulated framework

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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