Maryland Governor Signs Off on Psychedelic Task Force for Safe and Equitable Use

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed a bill establishing a psychedelics task force to explore equitable and affordable access to natural psychedelics like psilocybin and DMT. This task force, overseen by the Maryland Cannabis Administration, is responsible for researching and recommending policies on permitting, production, education, safety, and treatment access related to psychedelics. It will also consider expunging prior convictions for psychedelic-related offenses and potential civil penalties for nonviolent infractions. 

Key objectives

House Bill 548 highlights the key objectives of the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances:

• Regulation and production: Developing safe production and regulatory guidelines.
• Public education: Creating educational programs for the public and healthcare providers on therapeutic uses and safety protocols related to psychedelics.
• Equitable access:  Ensuring accessible and affordable treatments for all communities.
• Expungement of past convictions: Reviewing measures to remove past convictions related to psychedelic substances.
• Civil penalties for nonviolent infractions: Considering civil penalties over criminal charges for nonviolent violations involving psychedelics.
• Comprehensive research: Conducting thorough research on the benefits and risks associated with psychedelic substances.

Timeline and future prospects

The 17-member task force will be appointed by the governor, legislative leaders, and various state agencies. They will have the discretion to review additional psychedelics as necessary beyond the initially specified substances. A detailed set of recommendations and final report must be delivered to the governor and legislator by July 31, 2025.

While the bill originally contained more specific directives, such as setting up systems for online psilocybin sales and establishing clear labeling standards, these requirements were ultimately removed to focus on broader policy recommendations.

The legislation is set to sunset in two and a half years, allowing the legislature to evaluate its findings and determine whether the initiative should be continued, modified, or concluded based on its performance and recommendations.