Could Minnesota Legalize Psychedelics Soon?

Cannabis May 24, 2023

Earlier this week, the Minnesota legislature passed a health policy bill that, if signed by Governor Walz, will create a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force “to advise the legislature on the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.” After the vote, Rep. Andy Smith, who was a significant advocate for the inclusion of the Task Force, tweeted out that “[f]or purposes of this bill, ‘psychedelic medicine’ means 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and LSD, which at the moment are the three psychedelic substances with the most research done on them.”

The Task Force will be charged with surveying “existing studies in the scientific literature on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and bipolar disorder, and any other mental health conditions and medical conditions for which a psychedelic medicine may provide an effective treatment option.” The Task Force will consist of 23 members, including the governor (or a designee), the health commissioner, the state AG (or a designee), two tribal reps, and some combination of public health experts, mental health experts, substance abuse experts, and military veterans with health conditions. The Task Force will submit two reports detailing their findings to the legislature, with the first report due in February 2024. The reports are to analyze the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics and the potential avenues the Minnesota legislature can utilize to navigate the dichotomy of federal illegality and potential psychedelic legalization in Minnesota.

It is clear that legalized psychedelics are still a few years away (at least) in Minnesota, but this Task Force is a significant step toward that legalization, which comes immediately on the heels of cannabis legalization. Exciting times in Minnesota to be sure, so make sure to continue to follow our blog to stay updated.

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Could Minnesota Legalize Psychedelics Soon?

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