In 2020, voters in the
U.S. state of
Oregon
Oregon () is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of it ...
passed
Ballot Measure
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...
109, allowing the "manufacture, delivery and administration" of
psilocybin, a naturally occurring
psychedelic
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of ...
prodrug
A prodrug is a medication or compound that, after intake, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be used to improve how the drug ...
. While psilocybin remains illegal nationally, the passage of the law made Oregon the first U.S. state to legalize the drug. Per the law, psilocybin must be used for "personal development" and grown and administered in licensed environments. The ballot measure puts in place a two-year period for the government to determine regulations around the law's implementation, such as what credentials will be needed for someone to administer the drug.
The chief petitioners behind the bill were Sheri and Thomas Eckert, both therapists who had been working for years to legalize psilocybin because of its potential benefit for people struggling with conditions including depression, anxiety, and addiction. To get the initiative (called the Psilocybin Service Initiative, or Initiative Petition #34) on the November 2020 ballot, 112,020 signatures of support from Oregonians had to be collected.
On November 3, 2020, Ballot Measure 109 was passed with support from 1.233 million Oregonians, or 55.68% of the vote (according to unofficial results from the Oregon Secretary of State in the days following the election).
Implementation
The
Oregon Health Authority runs the Oregon Psilocybin Services program, which is creating regulations and issuing licenses for all aspects of the program. They will begin accepting applications for licensure on January 2, 2023. After that date, treatment providers who are licensed, using tested psilocybin from licensed suppliers, will be able to legally screen and treat individuals with psilocybin in Oregon. The program posted draft regulations for public notice and comment in April, 2022.
See also
*
List of Oregon ballot measures
References
External links
*
*
An early draft of the Act (which was later revised before the vote) on the Oregon Secretary of State's website
{{Oregon-stub
2020 Oregon ballot measures
Controlled substances in Oregon