Oregon became the first state to offer controlled use of psilocybin to the public on January 1, 2023. Psilocybin is a Schedule I psychoactive substance that is illegal at the federal level. Notwithstanding this federal illegality, psilocybin’s potential medical uses are being explored in medical research centers, and the substance is currently undergoing clinical trials, being designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a breakthrough therapy. As part of a series of state initiatives aimed at improving access to mental healthcare, Oregon passed the Psilocybin Services Act as a ballot measure in 2020. This law directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to license and regulate the manufacture, transportation, delivery, and purchase of psilocybin products and the provision of psilocybin services within the state. As of January 2, 2023, the OHA has begun accepting applications for licensure, with new psilocybin service centers expected to open later this year.

For more details about OHA’s regulations and compliance considerations, read the Perkins Coie Update.

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