Oregon’s Psilocybin Rules are scheduled to be finalized in December

The Oregon Psilocybin Services Section of the Oregon Health Authority is currently working to finalize a regulatory framework to manage psilocybin legalization. During the current partnership with the Psilocybin Advisory Board, these rules are expected to be released by December 31, 2022 as license applications will be open from January 2, 2023.

According to Angie Allbee, Department Manager for Oregon Psilocybin Services, the peak of psilocybin regulation is two years in the making. “Ballot Measure 109, also known as the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, was passed by Oregon voters in November 2020,” Allbee told KGW8. “It created a licensing and regulatory framework for the manufacture of psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services in Oregon. This is available to those 21 and older who wish to access psilocybin services. No prescription or referral from a provider is required.”

These rules will be the first of their kind in the country and could serve as a blueprint for other states to follow suit.

Allbee clarified that under these rules, patients cannot simply take psilocybin home as a medication, but rather consume it in a controlled environment while being monitored by licensed physicians. “Psilocybin products are sold to the customers, and that’s where the actual journey of the psilocybin services takes place,” Allbee said.

Psychotherapist Tom Eckert, who has long been a psilocybin advocate, has been instrumental in supporting psilocybin services for Oregon patients. KGW8 mentioned that he and his late wife have campaigned for access since 2015.

Eckert explained that the process is unique. “Most of the action is internal and that can be different for different people because we come to that experience with our own stuff,” Eckert said. “So that’s the great thing about psilocybin and the experience with psilocybin as a therapeutic, it goes where it needs to go.”

Ultimately, Eckert believes that the success of the entire program depends on specialists who can help treat each patient’s unique needs. “I’ve always thought that the beating heart of this whole program is the practitioners, the facilitators,” Eckert said. “We need competent, trained practitioners to really understand this specific modality.”

While officials are finalizing these details, there are some Oregon cities that do not want to allow psilocybin services. The Clackamas County Commissioners voted to temporarily ban psilocybin in July, and Linn County voters will be able to vote to approve the psilocybin ban later this year in November.

On a larger scale, the Right to Try Clarification Act was recently introduced by Sen. Cory Booker and Rand Paul. If passed, restrictions on substances included in the Controlled Substances Act would not apply to psilocybin and MDMA until a Phase 1 clinical trial has been completed. In practice, this would give terminally ill patients the opportunity to use these substances for medical treatment. “As a doctor, I know how important the right to try is for patients facing a life-threatening condition,” Paul said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the federal bureaucracy continues to block patients who wish to use Schedule I drugs under the right to try. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Sen. Booker that will sidestep the government and give doctors more resources to help patients.”

Like cannabis, psilocybin is quickly gaining acceptance as a medicinal treatment alternative. Numerous studies have been published suggesting that psilocybin may act as an antidepressant. Another July study claims it can improve “mood and health.” Another South Africa-based study in June found that it was particularly effective in women with HIV and depression.