Congressman advocates for the legalization of psilocybin therapy – The GrowthOp

While Canada is making history with psilocybin, the push for psychedelic reforms in the U.S. got a boost this week from Oregonian Congressman Earl Blumenauer.

Blumenauer voiced his support for Oregon Measure 109, the Psilocybin Program Initiative, in an email blast.

If it passes, the Oregon Health Authority would oversee a program that would allow licensed service providers to administer psilocybin-producing mushroom and fungi products to those 21 and older. Voters will decide on the issue this November.

Blumenauer, who has been a public official in Portland for more than 20 years, and founded the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, believes it can pass.

This Measure can win in November, it just needs the resources to educate voters about its benefits and protections, he said in the email, which was published in full by Marijuana Moment.

Momentum is also working in their favour.

In January, Santa Cruz, California, became the latest city to decriminalize natural psychedelics. The city council voted unanimously to make the enforcement of laws against psychedelics among the lowest priorities. In 2019, Denver became the first city to decriminalize psilocybin, while Oakland also decriminalized the possession of natural psychedelics last year.

In 2018, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration gave psilocybin breakthrough therapy designation for treatment-resistant depression.

Blumenauer, a longtime proponent of health care reform, said Measure 109 tackles the issue of mental health in an innovative and responsible way.

Measure 109 gives Oregonians who suffer from depression and anxiety the opportunity to overcome their mental health challenges through a program designed for safety and support, he said.

In Congress, I have worked hard to deliver better end-of-life care to all Americans. Studies are showing that psilocybin therapy can help address the profound end-of-life depression and anxiety that can come with a terminal diagnosis. Anyone who has had to confront that issue themselves or with a loved one understands how devastating it can be. Measure 109 is an opportunity to continue Oregons leadership on improving end-of-life care.

Earlier this month, Saskatoons Thomas Hartle became the first Canadian to undergo legal psilocybin therapy. He was able to access the therapy through a personal exemption to Section 56 of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, granted by Health Minister Patty Hajdu.

Following his therapy session, led by Dr. Bruce Tobin, a psychotherapist and professor at the University of Victoria, Hartle said he experienced the best sleep hes had since receiving his terminal cancer diagnosis four years ago and his panic attacks had stopped.

I have had anxiety for so long, I had sort of forgotten what it feels like to not have it, Hartle said earlier this month.To experience the lack of anxiety I have had this week is beyond words. Its amazing. I have no idea how long this particular benefit will last, but so long as its here, its really, really amazing and good.

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Congressman advocates for the legalization of psilocybin therapy - The GrowthOp