Psychedelinks – December 9, 2022

Read The Oregonian’s article explaining the process to become a licensed psilocybin facilitator in Oregon, a process that is currently underway. As of today, 18 facilitator training programs have been approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and each program has the potential to churn out hundreds of trained facilitator graduates per year. Following graduation, facilitators must pass a state administered exam and are restricted to providing their services at licensed psilocybin service centers. Yet applications for service centers won’t be accepted by the OHA until January 2, 2023, and it remains to be seen how many service centers will apply for a license and be approved by the OHA. Funding and land use issues continue to be serious barriers for service centers and psilocybin services could be unaffordable for many people, creating a bottle neck for licensed facilitators. “There is a lot that remains to be seen in Oregon. Licensed facilitators may have a competitive journey ahead depending on a variety of factors, including how many service centers become operational and how many clients can afford to access these services,” says Emerge Law Group attorney Kaci Hohmann.

“Colorado voters have approved the broadest psychedelic legalization in the U.S., which would decriminalize five psychedelic substances and enable adults to receive psychedelics at licensed centers. In addition to decriminalizing possession, it decriminalizes the growing and sharing of five psychedelics for personal use: psilocybin, psilocyn (a psychedelic also found in magic mushrooms), dimethyltryptamine (commonly known as DMT, which is found in plants and animals, including certain tree frogs), ibogaine (derived from the bark of an African shrub), and mescaline (which is primarily found in cacti; however, Prop 122 excludes peyote).”

“Aggarwal’s legal team are mounting the case that psilocybin does not meet criteria to be classed as a Schedule I drug as it has currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions, has been granted breakthrough status by the FDA and is considered an “eligible investigational drug” according to Right to Try law. Aggarwal also believes the rescheduling of psilocybin would be a gamechanger for physicians and researchers. It’s possible that the coming months will see even more developments unfold in the lead-up to the hearing at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.”

“While it is still unknown whether insurance will pay for psychedelics-based mental health treatment, there is some evidence that providers are at least looking for more data on the therapy. There are glimmers of hope for coverage of psychedelics. For example, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other federal laws and rules require most health insurance plans in the U.S. to cover some level of tobacco cessation treatments. Will that include psychedelics?”

“Not so long ago, if you wanted to explore the healing powers of ayahuasca, a psychedelic substance used in traditional medicine by Indigenous people in several South American countries, you pretty much had to travel to the Amazon rainforest. Now, for the first time ever, Filament Health, a Canadian psychedelic drug company, has created medical grade ayahuasca. Now, it’s not coming to a pharmacy near you anytime soon, but ayahuasca-assisted therapy might be an option in North America within 10 years.”