Psilocybin Research Approved in Arizona Appropriations Act Budget

Arizona senators voted on May 10 to pass a 2023-2024 general budget bill. The proposed budget includes a variety of funding proposals from the governor’s office, covering everything from Alzheimer’s research ($4.1 million) to a newborn screening program ($12 million) and the pilot program for investment in the Nursing Education in Arizona ($15M), but it also includes $5M for psilocybin research.

A health bill, SB-1726/HB-2816, was also recently heard on May 10, showing what this $5 million for research in “Whole Mushroom Psilocybin Research Grants, Phase One, Phase Two, and 41, Phase three” would flow clinical trials that may be approved by the 42nd U.S. Food and Drug Administration…” The bill names a range of conditions including PTSD, symptoms of a long illness with COVID-19, depression, anxiety disorders and nine others .

If passed, the Department of Health Services would be directed to submit research applications, which would be awarded no later than February 1 of each year. The department may spend a maximum of 2% of the money on psilocybin grant research per fiscal year.

Specifically, research topics would include “veterans, first responders, frontline healthcare workers… and individuals from underserved communities.”

It also provides safeguards for both the grantee and any staff working on a study, stating that they “shall not be charged or prosecuted for possession of psilocybin if the individual is working on the clinical trial.”

A Psilocybin Research Advisory Board would be tasked with administering the program and making “recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the Department of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy based on current federal and state research policies.” It would consist of several key people, including a member who holds a federal license to study psychedelics and is a licensed physician, a military veteran, an Arizona law enforcement officer, and a professor or researcher specializing in psychedelic studies.

On February 13, lawmakers in the House Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety unanimously passed another psilocybin research bill that would have awarded psilocybin researchers $30 million in grants. “Today, HB 2486 (Clinical Research; Psilocybin; Grants; Funds) passed the MAPS Committee by a unanimous 15-0 majority!” Thank you to the brave bipartisan lawmakers supporting this Veterans and First Responders Inquiry Bill! @KevinPayne4AZ @TJShopeforAZ @JenLongdon @TraversforAZ,” said Dr. Sue Sisley, known for her research on cannabis and psychedelics. There has been no further discussion on HB-2486 at this time.

As the number of cannabis studies continues to increase, so does the number of research efforts on psilocybin. In February, Ferndale, Michigan city officials voted to decriminalize mushrooms as well as other psychedelic substances like DMT and ayahuasca, and Utah officials introduced a psilocybin bill. In March, Nevada lawmakers introduced a psilocybin and MDMA research bill, and the Missouri House of Representatives approved a psilocybin research bill.

On May 10, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill creating a pilot program for psilocybin therapy, albeit with a partial veto on certain sections. On the same day, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed a bill decriminalizing psilocybin.

Oregon is at the forefront when it comes to progress. Earlier this month, Oregon granted its first psilocybin service center license, after rules were set back in January. “This is such a historic moment as psilocybin services will soon be available in Oregon, and we appreciate the strong commitment to customer safety and access as the service center doors prepare to open,” said Angie Albee, Department Manager for Psilocybin Services in Oregon.