Emerge Law Group celebrates the passage of Oregon Measure 109, also known as the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act (“M109”). M109, the first of its kind in the nation, will create a legal, regulated market for psilocybin-assisted therapy under Oregon law.
“Emerge Law Group is both thankful and proud to have contributed to the success of Measure 109,” said Dave Kopilak, Co-Chair of the firm’s Psychedelic Practice Group. Kopilak, a veteran cannabis industry attorney, was the primary drafter of M109, with support from M109’s chief petitioners Tom and Sheri Eckert and Emerge Law Group attorneys Kaci Hohmann, Kaitlyn Dent, and Sean Clancy. “This is great news for terminally ill Oregonians,” said Kathryn Tucker, Co-Chair of the firm’s Psychedelic Practice Group, who assisted the M109 campaign by bringing her years of experience in advocacy on behalf of terminally ill patients to educate the end of life care community, encouraging leaders in hospice and palliative care to understand and support M109. “Opening access to psilocybin therapy will offer relief to dying patients suffering from anxiety and depression, providing an important new tool to the palliative care toolbox.”
The primary purposes of M109 are to: (i) educate Oregonians about the safety and efficacy of psilocybin in treating a variety of mental health conditions, including addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress, (ii) reduce the prevalence of mental illness in Oregon; and (iii) improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of all Oregonians. These purposes should be pursued with the utmost vigor, so that psilocybin services can become a safe, accessible, and affordable therapeutic option for individuals 21 years of age and older for whom psilocybin may be appropriate.
There is much work to do during M109’s two-year development period and that work will begin very soon.
Emerge Law Group will be closely following the actions of the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Psilocybin Advisory Board created by M109 (the “Advisory Board”), the Governor (who in early 2021 will appoint 15-16 members of the Advisory Board), the Oregon State Legislature, and yes, the United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Emerge Law Group is uniquely situated to assist clients who are interested in M109, and to advise advocates seeking to open legal access to psilocybin in other jurisdictions. Please contact attorneys Dave Kopilak, Kathryn Tucker, Kaitlyn Dent, Kaci Hohmann, or Sean Clancy if you have any questions concerning M109 or any other laws (or ideas for any new laws) involving psilocybin, entheogenic plants, or psychedelics in general.
