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US military to study psychedelic therapy?

GOP Congressman’s Amendment Would Direct Military To Study Psilocybin And MDMA Benefits For Service Members

Last week, an amendment calling for the Department of Defense (DOD) to study medical cannabis for military service members was approved by a House Committee.

Now, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) is pushing for the amendment to be expanded to include psilocybin and MDMA. If approved the DOD would be required to study the therapeutic potential of the drugs as alternatives to opioids prescribed for chronic pain.

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Colorado to vote on psilocybin measure this Fall!

Colorado Activists Turn In Signatures To Put Psychedelics Legalization And Therapeutic Psilocybin Program On Ballot

After Colorado activists submitted nearly twice the amount of signatures required, the Natural Medicine Health Act will appear on the ballot this November!

Colorado residents will vote to legalize possession of certain psychedelics and implement a model for legal psilocybin treatments, similar to Oregon’s.

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MAPS under fire for alleged investigator misconduct

MDMA trials under review in Canada over alleged abuse of study participants

Health Canada is reviewing all previously approved MDMA trial applications after a former trial participant came forward with sexual assault allegations.

Footage from MAPS’ PTSD trial in 2015 shows patient Meaghan Buisson being physically restrained and spooned by two therapists (one of them unlicensed) during an MDMA therapy session.

The session was recorded to ensure that therapists were following treatment protocols, but the footage wasn’t actually reviewed for 6 years. MAPS is finally looking into recordings from all past patients.

“I just want people to realize, this is not against MDMA. This is not against psychedelics,” Meaghan ensures.

“I’m just saying that if this drug is going to be legalized and medicalized in this way, then there is a certain degree of safety and fiduciary responsibility and credibility that goes into being part of the medical system — and especially with vulnerable subjects.”

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BC becomes first province to decriminalize illicit drugs

B.C. receives exemption to decriminalize possession of some illegal drugs for personal use

British Columbia received a 3-year exemption to decriminalize small amounts of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA.

“By removing the fear and shame of drug use, we will be able to remove barriers that prevent people from accessing harm reduction services and treatment programs,” says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

While it seems like a step in the right direct, the legislation is being criticized because it only allows possession of 2.5 grams of the drugs and it won’t be effective until January 31 of 2023.

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Oregon finalizes rules for psilocybin program

Oregon Psilocybin – Administrative Rules

The Oregon Health Authority has finalized the first subset of rules for the legal psilocybin services that will be available next year. 

The full set of guideline, which cover psilocybin production methods and facilitator training requirements, can be found here. 

A second committee meeting will take place in the Fall to establish the remainder of the rules.

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Mushroom case ruling sparks controversy

Supreme Court says MRU student’s magic mushroom assault defence was valid

In some highly controversial news, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that voluntary extreme intoxication is a valid defence for violent crimes.

The court ruled in favour of a student who attacked his professor while high on magic mushrooms and alcohol in 2018. They noted that he was in a state of “automatism” in which he was incapable of consciously controlling his behaviours, and therefore isn’t accountable.

“In Canada, two elements of fundamental justice are required for a person to be found guilty of a crime. They are a guilty action; and a guilty mind. Neither element is present when a person is in a state of automatism,” stated the court in a brief of the ruling.

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Activists arrested at DEA protest

Protestors of psilocybin ban arrested at DEA headquarters

At least 17 activists were arrested for protesting at the DEA headquarters. The purpose of the protest was to raise awareness about the DEA’s obstruction of access to psilocybin therapy, which should be legal for terminally ill patients through the Right to Try (RTT) laws.

“There is urgent need for the DEA to accommodate RTT and enable access (to psilocybin). This demonstration shines the bright light of public concern and outrage on this agency’s conduct,” says Kathryn Tucker, the attorney behind the litigation.

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