Oregon is getting closer to calling itself a psilocybin state. The latest move has seen trained treatment facilitators licensed, several manufacturers licensed to grow mushrooms, and the first laboratories involved to test the efficacy and safety of their products. bottom.
With roots in cannabis dispensary quality control, Rose City Laboratories will be the first laboratory to test licensed psilocybin products and assess their potency and purity before going to treatment centers for controlled dosing. .
“We have been patiently awaiting and preparing for this decision, and my team has done an incredible job of adhering to laboratory procedures,” said owner Dan Hewson. “I couldn’t be more proud.”
This comes a month after the state issued its first licenses to growers, licensing women-owned Satori Farms PDX and Satya Therapeutics, with more to be granted this year. is.
Angie Albee, Section Manager, Oregon Psilocybin Service (OPS), said: Although the manufacturing license is not cheap. Armbrust has to pay $10,000 for the license and $10,000 annually to renew.
At the same time, Oregon saw its first graduates go through an official training course to become a psilocybin therapist. Psilocybin is not sold in pharmacies like cannabis. Instead, people over the age of 21 should attend licensed treatment sessions and centers to take their medications in a supervised environment with a trained professional. provide guidance.
More than 100 students, mostly medical professionals, graduated in March after six months of intensive training in the woods outside Portland. Their role as licensed practitioners is to screen clients and work with them before and after their experience.
In mid-April, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) licensed the first three facilitators.
“I would like to congratulate the first facilitator to be licensed in Oregon,” said Allbee. “As your work to provide non-directive psilocybin services takes shape, and as we near the opening of our service center, we appreciate your dedication to client safety and access.”
In November 2020, the Pacific Northwest state became the first U.S. state to Legalize psilocybin therapy when voters pass Bill 109, with nearly 56% voting yes. In addition to decriminalizing possession of recreational psilocybin mushrooms, the vote paved the way for a licensed medical practitioner to help administer psychedelic treatments to individuals over the age of 21.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Magic Mushroom. Last November, 25 of the 36 counties and over 100 municipalities banned psilocybin treatment. However, Oregon’s 20 most populous regions do allow it, including Portland, a notoriously liberal city.
It is expected to be used to treat trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. Although banned in some states, access is open to everyone nationwide and patients do not need a medical referral or prescription to go to a service center.
Psilocybin is still listed as a Schedule I drug at the federal level, and the Drug Enforcement Administration says it has “high potential for abuse, is not currently approved for medical use in therapy in the United States, and is considered safe.” I don’t think so. medical supervision”.
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted psilocybin Breakthrough Therapy designation and greenlit its use, but legislation and logistics in the burgeoning therapeutics industry slowed the rollout process. I was.
The first treatment clinic is expected to open later this year.
Source: Oregon Department of Health
