Focus Shifts to Psilocybin Therapy in New Jersey's Revised Legislation

New Jersey lawmakers have approved an amended bill focused on the therapeutic use of psilocybin. The original legislation proposed by Senate President Nick Scutari (D-Union) in June 2022 initially included personal decriminalization provisions that would allow adults to “possess, store, use, ingest, inhale, process, transport, deliver without consideration, or distribute without consideration, four grams or less of psilocybin.” While the measure received bipartisan support, the decriminalization aspect had to be removed to center in on a more structured program for psilocybin therapy overseen by the Department of Health. The Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee approved the updated New Jersey Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act (Bill S2283) with a 6-2 vote.

Key components of the amended bill

1. Creation of a Psilocybin Advisory Board

The Psilocybin Advisory Board will be implemented to provide guidance on implementing a psilocybin program. The 18-member board will be appointed by the Governor and include officials from health departments, a representative from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, and various experts in public health, psychology, and psychedelic research.

2. Guidelines for therapeutic use

Psilocybin services will be structured around preparation sessions, administration sessions, and optimal integration sessions. Guidelines will ensure client suitability, safe consumption environments, and the management of potential risks. A code of conduct and best practices will also be created to provide ethical and safe therapeutic use.

Only licensed service centers supervised by trained and licensed facilitators can administer psilocybin. These facilitators will be required to undergo rigorous training and adhere to professional conduct standards. 

The Psilocybin Advisory Board will have 18 months to develop the necessary infrastructure, including licensing systems for both facilities and facilitators.

3. Patient accessibility

Psilocybin services will be limited to those who participate in structured therapeutic programs. Additionally, the bill discusses the creation of equitable access programs to benefit economically disadvantaged individuals or those living in distressed areas. These programs would include reduced fees and additional support for those who qualify under the social opportunity criteria.

What’s next?

The New Jersey Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act still has a long way to go before it is signed into law. The bill must be looked over and approved by Senate, and if passed, it will move to the Assembly for review. If approved, the Governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or suggest further amendments.