Rhode Island state lawmakers move to legalize psilocybin

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — At the end of 2022, marijuana was legalized in Rhode Island. Now, state lawmakers are looking to take another step in legalizing psilocybin that they say has proven health benefits. 

“Now that we’ve legalized cannabis, now that we’ve seen therapeutic benefits to something that is a schedule one classification quote, unquote narcotic I think we are all going back to the drawing board and figuring out where we can improve our drug policy,” state Rep. Brandon Potter, District 16, said. 

“To have a scientifically minded, sincere discussion about this, we just did this with marijuana, we know that we are capable of doing this. Our cultural approach to regulating drugs has been based not in science and it’s time for that to change,” state Rep. Meghan Kallman, District 15, said. 

The proposal would legalize the possession of up to one ounce of psilocybin, as well as allowing the growth of mushrooms at home for personal use. 

“It’s normal to have hesitations anytime something is proposed that people don’t understand, what I would say is keep an open mind,” Potter said. 

The sponsors say the mushrooms could also be used as a treatment for mental health disorders. 

“Psilocybin itself has such potential for helping people who have, who are veterans, who are struggling with PTSD, there’s also some evidence that it can be very helpful for substance use disorders,” Kallman said. 

“And I believe that all Rhode Islanders deserve access to every type of mental health treatment available to them,” Potter added. 

The conversation is now being taken to the Senate as soon as next week, where conversation will decide to push this forward or not.