Bills, bills, bills: Could legalized psychedelics come out of the legislative session?
Jan 18, 2022, 9:42 AM | Updated: Sep 23, 2022, 1:03 pm
Psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms." A hallucinogenic drug that could be legalized for medical use with proposed bill. (File photo)
(File photo)
SALT LAKE CITY — One lawmaker wants to take steps towards legalizing psychedelics such as “magic mushrooms” for medical use.
Rep. Brady Brammer (Utah R – Highland) is sponsoring bill HB167. The bill would create a Mental Illness Psychotherapy Drug Task Force.
If the bill passes, the group will study psychedelic drugs that are currently illegal in Utah, but that have a potential to help those with mental illness. Members of the task force would would meet over the summer to study the drugs and propose recommendations in late 2022.
KSL.com’s Ashley Imlay reported on the lawmaker’s proposed bill. Imlay explained, Brammer has been working with Utah-based libertarian think tanks, the Libertas Institute and the Utah Patients Coalition. Both think tanks were involved in Utah’s process to legalize medical cannabis for certain health conditions.
Brammer told KSL.com, “We need effective tools to treat mental illness. If psychedelics can be helpful and safely administered, we need them in our toolbox.”
Other stories:
- Mental health needs spike during pandemic, but help in Utah abundant, free
- Utah legislature starts its work with base budgets
- Attend the Utah 2022 legislative session remotely, here’s how
- Gov. Cox proposes investment to protect, manage Great Salt Lake
- Senator will not pursue sex offender registry amendment
- Bill aims to protect healthcare workers from violent patients
