New Jersey Governor Signs Bill Creating Psilocybin Therapy Pilot Program And Allocating $6 Million To Psychedelic Treatment Effort
On his last day in office, New Jersey’s outgoing governor signed bill to create a psilocybin therapy pilot program and allocate $6 million in funding to support the psychedelic treatment effort.
Following its passage by the legislature last week, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the measure into law as one of his final acts in office, hours before new Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) was sworn in.
“Studies conducted by nationally and internationally recognized medical institutions indicate that psilocybin has shown efficacy, tolerability, and safety in the treatment of a variety of behavioral health conditions,” the bill’s findings sections says, “including, but not limited to, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress.”
The legislation, sponsored by Senate President Nick Scutari (D) and Sen. Joseph Vitale (D), along with Assemblymembers Clinton Calabrese (D) and Anthony S. Verrelli (D), will create an 11-member Psychedelic Therapy and Research Advisory Board to oversee the new Psilocybin Behavioral Health Services Pilot Program.
Within 180 days of enactment, the Department of Health will be required to issue a request for proposals from hospitals that want to participate. One hospital from each of three geographic regions of the state will then be selected to receive $2 million to support psilocybin trials.
“Under no circumstance shall the department establish, implement, or enforce a requirement, specification, or guideline under the pilot program that conflicts with protocols and guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration related to clinical trials for psychedelic substances,” the bill says.
After the two-year pilot program is completed, officials will need to submit reports to the governor and legislature including “recommendations concerning the continuation or expansion of the pilot program” as well as “recommendations as to the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan for State and local regulation of psilocybin to provide access in New Jersey for individuals who could benefit and that considers efficacy, safety, and affordability.”
While the legislation as introduced would have more broadly legalized psilocybin for adult use, making it legal for adults to “possess, store, use, ingest, inhale, process, transport, deliver without consideration, or distribute without consideration, four grams or less of” the psychedelic, it was scaled back during its advancement through the process.
