Massachusetts Psychiatric Society Endorses Bill To Decriminalize Psilocybin Possession

“We are encouraged by the growing body of rigorous research exploring the use of psychedelics, including psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant types of mental illness.”

By Jack Gorsline, HorizonMass

Massachusetts psychedelic policy advocates recently marked a significant milestone at a July 15 legislative hearing, which featured testimony on four of the 12 psychedelics-related bills filed this year on Beacon Hill. The hearing was highlighted by a historic, first-ever endorsement of psychedelic decriminalization-specific legislation anywhere by a professional psychiatric society: The Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS).

Among the bills addressed at the hearing of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary was H.1726, sponsored by state Rep. Homar Gómez (D), which seeks to decriminalize the possession of psilocybin.

Another proposal, H.1624 from state Rep. Mike Connolly (D), proposes a psychedelics task force to consider equity in psychedelic access.

H.1858, from state Rep. Marc Lombardo (R), aims to reduce legal penalties for psilocybin possession by imposing a $100 fine for quantities under one gram, effectively decriminalizing small amounts.

And S.1113, sponsored by state Sen. Cindy Friedman (D), directs the Department of Public Health (DPH) to create a trial program for medically supervised psilocybin therapy, specifically excluding ownership by “cannabis industry organizations, psychedelic molecule development companies or pharmaceutical companies.”

Massachusetts Psychiatric Society supports psychedelics measures

The endorsement from the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, a professional organization representing approximately 1,400 psychiatrists across the state, was a notable development.

Dr. Jhilam Biswas, speaking on behalf of the MPS, stated, “I’m here today to express the society’s support for H.1624, H.1726, H.1858 and S.1113, bills that allow for the dismissal of complaints for the simple possession of psilocybin, provided that if the individual meets clear safety-based criteria, which is being over the age of 21, not operating a vehicle and not endangering of children.”

Dr. Biswas clarified that the society’s support was not a “blanket endorsement of recreational psychedelic use,” noting its opposition to last November’s Ballot Question 4, which members believed was “too far reaching and lacked necessary safeguards.” She emphasized, “While we know there is promising research happening in psychedelic medicines in the field of psychiatry and medicine, broad and premature access to many different substances without caution is not only dangerous, but does impact the research community.”

In contrast, Dr. Biswas described the current bills as a “more balanced and responsible approach,” applying “narrowly to define situations to adults over 21 who are not driving and not endangering children, and whose action caused no harm to others.” She added, “It gives courts more discretion and it maintains important public safety protections while avoiding any unnecessary criminal penalties.”

The MPS also acknowledged the amount of research into psychedelics for mental illness treatment.

“Moreover, we are encouraged by the growing body of rigorous research exploring the use of psychedelics, including psilocybin in treating treatment-resistant types of mental illness,” Dr. Biswas said. “Institutions like our local EMC hospitals and research centers in Massachusetts are leading these studies with promising early outcomes.” She concluded by urging legislators to view these bills “not just at, this as criminal justice reform, but as a public health opportunity.”

According to the organization Mass Healing, the MPS’s endorsement of these three psilocybin decriminalization proposals marks the first time any branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has endorsed psychedelics legislation of any kind.

Curiously, the MPS’s recent endorsement contrasts with testimony provided at a previous psychedelics bill hearing last month. Outgoing MPS President Dr. Nassir Ghaemi opposed H.2506, which sought to decriminalize possession of up to 50 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms, stating he was speaking “on his own behalf, as well as that of the society.”

Plant medicine advocates testify on Beacon Hill

Former Yes on 4 campaign staffer Graham Moore also spoke in favor of the bills, acknowledging that the previous measure “went too far for the people of Massachusetts right now.” The advocate championed the current proposals as “much more narrowly tailored,” and emphasized that “people don’t want lives ruined over simple possession, but people also do not want unlimited green light to everybody’s all sorts of psychedelics.”

Moore also refuted claims of increased public health problems in areas that have decriminalized psilocybin, citing Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Colorado as well as the Netherlands, where legal psilocybin availability has not led to widespread abuse due to its non-addictive nature.

Timothy Morris is a Billerica resident who, along with fellow advocate and Mass resident Henry Morgan, submitted H.1726 to state Rep. Gómez. At the hearing, he expressed his gratitude for the process: “I’m thankful that we’re able to get the ball rolling so soon after question 4, as well as for Dr. Biswas’s supporting testimony.”

Morris added, “The fact that Institutions—such as the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society—are beginning to support the decriminalization movement, marks the start of a powerful paradigm shift for related public policy.”

This article is syndicated by the MassWire news service of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. If you want to see more reporting like this, make a contribution at givetobinj.org.