PsychedeLinks is a curated selection of top news stories impacting business, research, and culture in the psychedelics ecosystem, crafted by Emerge Law Group’s groundbreaking Psychedelics Group.
Emerge’s Hot Take
Federal judge orders Utah police to return psychedelic mushrooms seized from religious group
A federal judge in Utah ruled late in February that county law enforcement must return sacramental psilocybin mushrooms seized from the religious group Singularism. The judge granted a preliminary injunction, citing Utah’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and emphasized that religious freedom must protect all faiths equally. The ruling does not impact criminal charges against Singularism’s founder but sets a precedent for religious use of psychedelics.
The case highlights broader legal battles over psychedelic sacraments, with growing challenges to government restrictions. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found the DEA’s religious exemption process unclear and burdensome, noting that none of the 24 exemption requests since 2016 had been granted. Meanwhile, an Arizona church won the right to use ayahuasca under RFRA, while a similar Iowa church’s petition remains unresolved.
Many are hopeful that this ruling will influence future cases, as entheogenic religious groups across the U.S. increasingly invoke legal protections to challenge restrictions on psychedelics used in spiritual practices.
“By requiring the return of Singularism’s sacramental psilocybin, the Court’s decision reinforces that government agencies cannot arbitrarily burden religious practice without compelling justification and highlights the impracticality of federal legislation’s current ‘one -size-fits-all’ approach to psychedelics, ” muses Emerge shareholder Kaci Hohmann. “As psychedelics continue to face regulatory obstacles, this decision strengthens the legal foundation for the right to psychedelic sacraments as a legitimate expression of faith and sets an important precedent in the broader fight for entheogenic freedom.”
A link to ruling granting preliminary injunction may be found here.
Other Noteworthy News
Psychedelic mushroom market to surpass $3.3 billion by 2031, report predicts
FORBES – A report released last week by Persistence Market Research highlights the rapid growth of the psychedelic mushroom market, driven by increasing interest in psilocybin for mental health treatment. Despite legal and regulatory challenges, the market, currently valued at $1.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $3.3 billion by 2031. Key factors fueling this expansion include successful clinical trials, regulatory approvals, increased investment, and growing public awareness of psilocybin’s potential for treating conditions like addiction, anxiety, and depression.
The Colorado psychedelic mushroom experiment has arrived
ABC NEWS – Colorado is launching its state-regulated psychedelic mushroom program, with the first licensed “healing centers” expected to open by late spring or early summer. These centers will allow supervised psilocybin use for therapeutic purposes. This follows Oregon’s pioneering program, as both states explore non-clinical, regulated psychedelic treatments. However, Colorado’s approach differs from Oregon’s by allowing psilocybin integration into existing mental health practices. The program also recognizes Indigenous traditions and aims to prevent commercialization from harming these cultural roots. While federal enforcement remains uncertain, advocates hope for a hands-off approach similar to marijuana. As the program unfolds, discussions continue around expanding legal access to other psychedelics.
Emory researchers use voice analysis to study psychedelic therapy
EMORY NEWS CENTER – Researchers are using voice analysis to better understand depression and its treatment, particularly with psilocybin. Emory University developed Fabla, a voice diary app, to track changes in participants’ speech, emotions, and cognition in a clinical trial called OPTIMIZE, which studies psilocybin’s effects on major depressive disorder. Fabla prompts users to record daily reflections, capturing speech biomarkers such as tone, pitch, and word choice, which can reveal shifts in mental health beyond traditional surveys. The OPTIMIZE study is a Phase 2 trial investigating whether non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation can enhance psilocybin’s antidepressant effects. Starting in April 2025, 141 adults with depression will receive a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin under supervision, with pre- and post-treatment support. Participants will use Fabla before and after treatment to document changes in mood, social behavior, and quality of life.
LISTEN: Why tech bros worship psychedelics (and think you should too)
NPR “IT’S BEEN A MINUTE” – “[NPR’s Brittany Luse] is joined by Maxim Tvorun-Dunn, PhD candidate at the University of Tokyo, and Emma Goldberg, business reporter at the New York Times, to discuss what it means that [psychedelics] are getting championed – and sometimes financially backed – by the tech elite, and how might that affect our culture’s relationship to psychedelics as spiritual tools.”
LISTEN: Colorado’s new psychedelics law draws attention to natural medicine’s Indigenous roots
CPR NEWS – “The Natural Medicine Act made legal in Colorado something that Indigenous cultures have considered traditional for centuries. Santiago Guerra, a professor of Southwest Studies at Colorado College who has researched Indigenous medicines and America’s drug war, says the roll out of the new law is a chance to build connections with Indigenous expertise.”
Legislative Updates
Nevada legislature hears resolution seeking to expand psychedelic medicine
NEVADA NEWS 4– “Senate Joint Resolution 10 seeks to urge Congress to consider expanding psychedelic medicine practices and research on a federal level…”
MARIJUANA MOMENT – “The legislation from Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D), which passed the full Senate [mid-March] and cleared a House committee [Mon., 3/17], advanced on the House floor in a 56-8 vote on [Tue., 3/20]. It now heads to the governor…”
After series of defeats in California, psychedelics boosters return with slimmed-down bill
EAST BAY TIMES – “Sen. Josh Becker aims to fund more study of psychedelics and veterans. He says the bill is crafted to survive a tough political environment…”
New Hampshire legislators attempt to reduce the punishments around magic mushrooms
NEW HAMPSHIRE BULLETIN – “The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously, 16-0, this month to recommend the entire House vote to approve House Bill 528, which is sponsored by Deerfield Republican Rep. Kevin Verville. The bill would reduce the penalty for people 21 and older to obtain, purchase, transport, possess, or use psilocybin in New Hampshire from a felony to a simple violation with a small fine and no jail time…”
Subscribe
Subscribe to PsychedeLinks to receive essential biweekly articles on news, business, and culture in the psychedelics industry, delivered straight to your inbox.
