New Mexico Senate Unanimously Passes Medical Psilocybin Resolution

The New Mexico Senate voted last week to approve a non-binding resolution calling for the Department of Health to “study the efficacy of using psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic treatments and the establishment of a program for psilocybin mushrooms to be used for therapeutic medical treatments,” Marijuana Moment reports.

The bipartisan resolution, co-sponsored by Senate Minority Whip Craig Brandt (R) and Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D), was passed in a unanimous 37-0 vote. In the resolution, lawmakers referenced research showing that psilocybin can treat depression and addiction issues and noted a 2023 FDA guidance covering the research of psychedelic therapies.

The resolution approved last week is more like a formal request and does not require any action.

“It turns out that medical mushrooms, psilocybin, has proven to be medically efficacious for the use of major behavioral health issues. It can help alleviate and be an alternative to major anti-depressant drugs and probably other drugs that have serious side effects and can bring real relief to New Mexicans.” — Steinborn, via Marijuana Moment

The New Mexico House Health and Human Services Committee passed a similar bill last year that called for an investigation into the possibilities of a psilocybin therapy program but that proposal did not advance any further, according to the report.