Minnesota Omnibus Health Bill includes provisions for the Psychedelic Task Force

The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a comprehensive health-funding bill on April 26 by a vote of 69 to 58. Bill SF-2995 includes provisions to establish a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to proactively prepare for legalization. The task force would be “established to advise lawmakers on legal, medical and policy issues related to the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.”

Originally introduced in the Senate in March, SF-2995 passed a third reading on April 19 and was amended in the House of Representatives in recent weeks.

The task force’s responsibilities include reviewing “existing studies in the scientific literature on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic medicinal products in the treatment of mental illness, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, as well as other mental and medical conditions for which a psychedelic drug can be an effective treatment option.”

It would also require making necessary changes related to “legalizing psychedelic medicine,” “state and local regulation of psychedelic medicine,” and educating the public about legal recommendations.

The task force would include a diverse panel of experts, including the governor and attorney general, as well as military veterans and others suffering from mental illness.

Should the Omnibus Act pass, the task force would be directed to submit two reports to designated individuals overseeing health and social services. The reports would include the task force’s findings as well as an action plan to enforce legalization. The first report would be due by February 1, 2024 and the second would have to be submitted by January 1, 2025 at the latest.

When the bill was introduced as a standalone bill in February, it included a requirement for the task force to investigate a variety of substances. “Psychedelic medicine may include, but is not limited to, the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, mescaline, LSD, bufotenine, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, 2C-B, ibogaine, salvinorin A, and ketamine. ‘ says the earlier text.

The task force provision would receive $338,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $171,000 in 2025.

Earlier this month, one of the authors of the task force’s bill, Minnesota Assemblyman Andy Smith, explained to KIMT3 the importance of the bill. “Unfortunately, by the 1980s, most of these drugs were sold as drugs around the world, and so there are many outdated laws that both affect research and allow these drugs to be used in treatment. The goal of the task force is to see how we can undo these regulations well and responsibly,” Smith said. “These drugs . . . have incredible potential to help people suffering from depression at a much lower cost. Antidepressants are expensive. . . and these medicines are usually much cheaper to take.”

While the omnibus bill is still under review, the Minnesota House recently passed legislation legalizing cannabis on April 25. “It’s about time,” Rep. Zack Stephenson said. “Minnesotans deserve the freedom and respect to make their own responsible choices about cannabis.”

If enacted, House File would allow 100 adults over the age of 21 to possess up to two ounces of cannabis flower in public or 1.5 pounds privately at home. Concentrates would be capped at eight grams, and edibles would be maxed out at no more than 800mg of THC. Also, residents are not allowed to grow more than eight plants (with a maximum of four flowering plants) at home.

According to Vicente Sederberg attorney Krissy Atterholt, there is high hope for the future of cannabis in Minnesota. “Minnesota is one step closer to providing safe and regulated adult access to legalized cannabis,” Atterholt told the High Times. “The state is making strides to become the next big cannabis opportunity in the Midwest. Not a single state bordering Minnesota has introduced adult cannabis opportunities and left the market wide open for businesses and consumers.”