Proposed bill would allow the use of psilocybin for adults in New York State
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NEW YORK (PIX11) — A new bill proposed in the New York State Assembly on Tuesday would allow the growth, cultivation, and regulated use of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound typically found in magic mushrooms, to be used for certain health conditions.
Under the new bill, conditions like anxiety, cancer, depression, and PTSD could be treated with magic mushrooms. New York Assembly Bill No. 10375 was referred to the Committee on Health, according to the New York State Assembly.
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“The department shall be responsible for regulating the adult use of psilocybin with a permit, cultivation licenses and licensed cultivator operation requirements, certification of support services providers, and other authorized and related programs,” the bill introduced by Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who represents parts of the Bronx, White Plains, and Yonkers read. “The department shall create a reporting program to allow permit holders the optional opportunity to identify health and experience data in connection with adult use of psilocybin, including on health conditions.”
Other states, like Oregon and Colorado, have already legalized Magic Mushrooms. Other major metropolitan cities, like Washington D.C. and San Francisco, have seen decriminalization efforts.
So, can New York State be next?
One organization, New Yorkers for Mental Health Alternatives, seems to think so. Their mission, according to a statement on the organization’s website reads:
“To educate the public and policymakers about reasons to end the prohibition of psychedelic substances. To end penalties for the use, possession, and non-commercial cultivation of naturally occurring psychedelic substances by adults and to provide New Yorkers with legal access to psychedelic substances for mental health and well-being.”
The new proposed bill still has a journey to go through in the legislative process before it becomes law, but it took decades before marijuana was made legal for adults in New York State.
The U.S. government still classifies Magic Mushrooms as a controlled substance with no accepted medical use. However, studies have concluded the psychedelic chemical in “magic mushrooms” (psilocybin) may ease depression in some hard-to-treat patients.
Assemblymember Paulin and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene were not immediately available to comment.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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