Psychedelics in Washington: The State’s Role in Ushering in a New Era of Mental Health and Mycology

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1. Introduction: From the White House to Congress

In recent years the conversation around psychedelics has gone from underground to above ground, driven by the research and the results are changing the conversation. Across the US a growing number of health professionals, researchers and citizens—along with a passionate community of mycology enthusiasts—are waiting for a change in the law to reflect the science. Washington State in particular has seen a surge of interest in psychedelic assisted therapy and it’s no surprise given its long history of foraging, sustainability and curiosity.

Despite the public support and the science on their effectiveness for certain mental health conditions psychedelics are still illegal at the federal level in the US. Other states like Oregon and Colorado have made significant progress towards decriminalization and therapeutic legalization. While hope remains high, progress at the federal level under recent administrations has been glacial and many advocates are shifting their focus to legislative change in Congress.

For the stakeholders in Washington’s mushroom and wellness community the shift means we need to not only understand the current laws but also get involved in shaping the future of psychedelics in our region.

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2. Current laws around psychedelics in Washington

Psychedelics—most notably those containing psilocybin the psychoactive compound in certain mushrooms—are illegal under federal law and Washington State law. Under the Controlled Substances Act psilocybin is a Schedule I drug, a classification that means it has a “high potential for abuse” and “no accepted medical use”. But this classification is being challenged by modern researchers many of whom are saying it’s outdated and not supported by the science from the clinical trials.

Washington State has made progress in other areas of drug policy, especially with the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis. But it has not extended those reforms to psychedelics despite their growing popularity and proven therapeutic benefits. While psilocybin is still illegal a change is on the horizon. Recent bills, mostly modeled after Oregon’s initiatives—a neighboring state and pioneer in psychedelic therapy—aim to decriminalize or legalize psychedelics for medical use, specifically in a supervised and regulated setting. Recent efforts include a ballot initiative aimed at legalizing specific psychedelics in Washington State, outlining the process of gathering signatures and the intended regulatory framework.

These bills are pending. If passed it will be a big deal and Washington will be one of the states leading the way for psychedelic assisted therapies in the US. Advocates and stakeholders in Washington are hoping the state will catch up with the science on the effectiveness and safety of psychedelics for therapeutic use especially for mental health conditions like PTSD, major depression and anxiety.

3. The last two administrations on psychedelics

Despite the growing momentum for psychedelic assisted therapies movement at the federal level has been stalled under both the Trump and Biden administrations. Under President Donald Trump drug policy was stuck in the punitive model. The administration was all about being tough on the opioid crisis and illicit drugs and left no room for nuance around psychedelic substances.

President Joe Biden’s administration has taken steps to modernize federal drug policy especially with the historic decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. But when it comes to psychedelics the administration has been cautious and that’s contributed to the stagnation of broader reforms. The administration’s lack of action on psychedelics may be due to the long standing stigma around these substances or fear of backlash from more conservative constituents.

This has left psychedelic reformers in a bind. Since Biden has made health based drug reforms—a recognition of addiction and mental health treatment as national priorities—a lot of advocates thought he would move faster on psychedelics. But policy development has not matched that expectation and the federal government is still dragging its feet and there’s a growing gap between public opinion and government action. This lack of movement shows we need to focus on winning over Congress where lawmakers are more influenced by the science and may be more open to legislative change than the federal executive branch.

4. Looking to Congress: Why We Need to Focus on Capitol Hill

Since the White House is not moving the needle the attention is shifting to Congress where progress may be possible. The strategy now is to encourage activists to lobby their Congressional representatives and state legislators to support bills that can move psychedelic reform forward at the federal level.

Congress has a lot of power when it comes to drug policy in America. Several forward thinking lawmakers are already talking about psychedelics in practical terms, how they can be used as mental health treatments and how they could revolutionize care especially for conditions like PTSD, treatment resistant depression and substance use disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the mental health crisis in the US. As more policymakers realize we need new tools to address this growing issue psychedelic compounds—because of their mechanism of action and proven efficacy in clinical trials—are being seen as a solution. Advocates are also pushing for equitable access to psychedelics, ensuring that all adults have fair opportunities to benefit from these substances in a safe and responsible manner.

We need to frame psychedelics as mental health intervention tools. Activists and stakeholders can now present the data that shows supervised, regulated psychedelic therapy can help individuals with mental health issues—a really strong point in a time of national mental health crisis. Advocates are saying psychedelic therapy can transform individual care and has ripple effects in social and economic terms and relieve the pressure on overburdened health care systems including in Washington State.

Psychedelics, Mycology and Legislative Change: What does it mean for Washington’s psilocybin mushroom enthusiasts?

Washington has been a mecca for mycology enthusiasts. The state’s ecosystems and love of foraging mean mushrooms (psychedelic and otherwise) are part of local culture. Beyond recreational use, magic mushrooms have garnered attention due to ongoing medical research into their therapeutic effects on mental health issues like depression and PTSD. Washington has developed a reputation for sustainable mushroom cultivation and scientific research on various fungal species. Hobbyists, academics, and even holistic health practitioners all find common ground in their love of fungi. So legislation around psychedelic mushrooms is particularly important in the state.

With decriminalization or legalization in the works, a legislative change could lead to new explorations of psilocybin mushrooms in wellness and medical treatment. This would open up not just consumption but also culinary, medicinal, and sustainability applications of mushrooms. Washington’s mushroom foragers and growers would have more freedom to cultivate psychedelic species for personal use or as part of therapeutic research. The ripple effect would be more respect for mushrooms in all forms—not just as a psychoactive substance but as a thread that connects culture, biology, and mental health.

And legal changes could also lead to more educational initiatives to guide safe and responsible use in both clinical and recreational settings. This would protect foragers and cultivate more respect for psychoactive fungi as a tool for mental, emotional, and spiritual growth.

6. What’s happening in other states?

To see where Washington is headed we need to look at what’s happening in states that have already passed psychedelic legislation. Oregon, our southern neighbor, is the gold standard of drug policy after their 2020 votes on Measure 109 and Measure 110.

• Measure 110 changed the legal landscape in Oregon by decriminalizing drug possession of small amounts of all drugs including psychedelics. This was a step towards treating drug abuse as a public health issue not a crime.

• Measure 109 made Oregon the first state to approve regulated psilocybin therapy. Licensed professionals can administer psilocybin in a supervised setting. Measure 109 created a regulated framework for legal therapeutic psilocybin use with the patient’s experience overseen by a qualified facilitator not a recreational market.

Cities and counties in Colorado have decriminalized at the local level and Washington has been slower to move but activists hope the national momentum especially in the Pacific Northwest will push the state to do the same.

Colorado’s local decriminalization and Oregon’s statewide reforms provide a model for Washington to follow. These policy changes are giving citizens, advocates and lawmakers in Washington the opportunity to think outside the box about how psychedelic treatments could be responsibly fit into the state’s existing healthcare and criminal justice systems.

7. Grassroots Advocacy in Washington: Local Groups and Movements

As psychedelic reform happens across the U.S. Washington has seen the rise of several passionate grassroots organizations pushing for psychedelic policy change. Local groups like Decriminalize Nature Seattle and Psychedelic Medicine Alliance Washington are educating the public, running advocacy campaigns and lobbying local and state legislators.

• Decriminalize Nature Seattle is focused on decriminalizing plant-based entheogens like psilocybin mushrooms in Washington. This is similar to what’s happening in cities like Oakland and Denver where local measures decriminalizing psychedelic substances have already passed.

• Psychedelic Medicine Alliance Washington works with researchers, therapists and patients to promote the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, decriminalization and supervised therapeutic use. They host educational seminars, workshops and outreach campaigns to introduce residents and lawmakers to the growing body of evidence on psychedelic therapy. The Olympia City Council recently voted to alter law enforcement priorities concerning psychedelic substances, emphasizing their role in pushing for broader drug policy reforms at the local level.

These groups and others are key to building the local movement for change. By talking about responsible and safe use, promoting evidence based understanding and advocating for legal reform these organizations are the backbone of the Washington psychedelic movement.

They can’t be overstated, these grassroots groups are the bridge between the local community, lawmakers and scientists pushing for big legislative change.

8. Benefits and Concerns: Public Health and Wellness

The therapeutic benefits of psychedelics have gotten a lot of attention with many studies showing how substances like psilocybin can transform treatment for mental health conditions. Clinical trials have shown that controlled psychedelic experiences can dramatically reduce symptoms in people with PTSD, major depression, addiction and anxiety disorders—often with results that last months or even years after just one or two sessions.

Clinical trials often include psychotherapy sessions before and after the psychedelic experiences to enhance the treatment's effectiveness.

For example:

• Psilocybin and depression: Studies have shown that psilocybin in a controlled therapeutic setting can reduce depressive symptoms even when other treatments have failed. And the effects can last for months after just one or two sessions.

• PTSD treatment: Psychedelic substances like MDMA (related to psilocybin and also being researched) can reduce PTSD symptoms by opening up emotions and revisiting traumatic memories through a safe emotional lens.

• Addiction recovery: Early research is showing that psychedelics can be key for those struggling with substance addiction, especially by helping participants address deep emotional or psychological pain that drives their behavior.

Despite these promising results, there are regulatory concerns. Misuse, especially in unsupervised or recreational settings is top of mind for many lawmakers. Critics say more research is needed to fully understand the side effects, long term impact on brain health and appropriate therapeutic use. Misinformation and misuse could lead to dangerous situations like self-treatment without professional guidance. This is especially true for vulnerable populations like those prone to psychotic disorders or who may misuse psychedelics without the proper therapeutic framework.

So as Washington lawmakers and advocates push for change they must make sure any legislation prioritizes the user through proper checks, regulations and access to trained facilitators who can administer these therapies. Finding the balance between access and safety will be key for lawmakers going forward.

9. Breaking Down the Taboo: Public Misconceptions About Psychedelics

Decades of misinformation, piled on top of the criminalization and stigmatization of psychedelic substances during the War on Drugs have left a cultural scar on how many people think about psychedelics—linking them to 1960s counterculture, drug abuse and irrational behavior.

This has prevented serious consideration of their medical use. But as clinical trials show dramatic breakthroughs in mental health treatment public opinion on psychedelics is slowly shifting. The work of advocacy groups, scientists and medical professionals in educating the public has been key in breaking down this stigma. Through documentaries, research publications and public outreach programs the narrative around psychedelics is shifting from danger to healing. Proposed legislative measures aim to legalize the cultivation and transfer of naturally occurring psychedelics for personal use, emphasizing the importance of creating a legal framework that promotes safe access.

And the comparison to cannabis laws helps to normalize the conversation. Cannabis is legal in many states including Washington and has shifted public opinion on once stigmatized substances—undermining the very rhetoric that justified the War on Drugs in the first place. Many advocates believe winning the fight for psychedelic reform comes down to education and communicating the profound healing potential of these substances especially when used in safe and controlled settings.

Now it’s up to advocates in Washington to do the public outreach and education so that stakeholders at every level of society—citizens, doctors, lawmakers and law enforcement officials—are aware of the evidence supporting psychedelics ability to improve lives and address major public health issues.

10. Business Impacts on the Mycology and Health Industry

Legalizing psychedelics in Washington would create a whole new industry centered around mycology and holistic health. As the scientific backing for psychedelic therapy grows so will opportunities for businesses offering sustainable wellness options. The integration of psychedelics into the health industry will also involve significant contributions from the field of behavioral sciences, particularly in understanding and treating various mental health conditions.

There will be several winners:

• Mycology and mushroom cultivation: Mushroom cultivation businesses from small home growers to large commercial operations could see significant growth especially those focused on psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelic species. Lifting the legal barriers could lead to a mushroom renaissance in foraging, sustainable cultivation and mushroom based products.

• Therapeutic centers and clinics: A legal framework for psychedelic treatments could see the emergence of specialized therapeutic and wellness centers where people would go for guided psychedelic experiences in a medical setting. These centers would require licensed professionals—psychotherapists, psychiatrists and trained guides—so there would be demand for professional training and certification programs.

• Integration into existing healthcare systems: Mental health clinics and holistic wellness centers could develop licensed treatment options and offer legal psychedelics as part of their psychic and emotional therapy treatments instead of traditional pharmaceutical or psychotherapeutic interventions.

• Tourism and wellness retreats: With Washington’s natural beauty and its status as an outdoor recreation destination there will be a influx of psychedelic tourism—with visitors coming to legal retreat centers for immersive psilocybin experiences in serene and mindful environments.

Both established businesses and startups will be at the forefront of a new wellness economy. The ripples of legalization will not only elevate Washington’s mycology industry but make the state a hub for research, wellness and mental health innovation.

11. What Needs to Happen to Move the Needle in Washington?

For psychedelic legislation to pass in Washington a balance of advocacy, scientific research and political engagement is required. To create momentum in Congress local constituents need to show their representatives that psychedelic reform has broad public support. Washingtonians need to mobilize, stay informed and publicly advocate for reform at the state and local level.

Lawmakers need to see continued and compelling evidence from clinical research to show that the medical risks of psychedelics are minimal when managed properly and the benefits are great. This alignment of public advocacy and scientific research is starting to happen through the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders in the healthcare, scientific and community advocacy sectors. The Health Care Authority is responsible for delivering a final report to the governor and legislature by the end of the year, compiling significant information relevant to the ongoing discussions around psilocybin legalization.

Several things will help move the needle:

• Public education: Most voters and lawmakers need to be educated on the therapeutic benefits and necessary safeguards of psychedelics. Public talks, media campaigns and educational outreach will help demystify the experience.

• Educating lawmakers: Those advocating for psychedelic reform need to show state and local lawmakers directly that public opinion and scientific consensus is in favor of regulation or decriminalization.

• Legislative champions: As in other states a few high profile lawmakers taking public stances on psychedelic reform can be key. Without public support from prominent political figures grassroots organizations will have to take on more of the lobbying to get the attention and endorsement of state or national representatives.

This is part of the Bigger Mental Health Crisis in America

The U.S. is in the midst of a mental health crisis made worse by the long term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With skyrocketing rates of PTSD, addiction, depression and suicide millions of Americans are relying on overwhelmed mental health services. Traditional treatments like antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy often don’t work for many people. This has led more people to demand alternative treatments that offer lasting relief and address the root causes of their mental health issues.

Recent bills aim to provide access to psilocybin therapy as a potential treatment option for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is one of the solutions. Clinical trials at institutions like Johns Hopkins and NYU have shown that psychedelics can produce healing in ways that traditional pharmaceuticals can’t. The potential for lasting therapeutic impact is huge with some patients reporting sustained improvement in mood and mental health after one or two doses of psychedelics in a clinical setting.

Washington’s psychedelic reform could be part of a national movement to address this crisis by prioritizing health-based rather than punitive policies. The state can be a leader in the mental health revolution by offering access to new, effective treatments when traditional systems fail.

13. Opportunities for Washington’s Researchers

Washington’s top research institutions have already started exploring different aspects of psychedelic therapy and with policy changes the state could position itself as a leader in this new field. Research into the effects of psilocybin on the brain and its therapeutic potential is an exciting terrain for scientists. More progress will bring in big grants, funding and collaborations from top institutions and government agencies like the NIH (National Institutes of Health). The Health Care Authority plays a key role in delivering reports and information regarding the potential legalization of psilocybin, highlighting its involvement in shaping health policy.

If Washington loosens up on psychedelics researchers at state universities like the University of Washington could get more government funding and put the state on the map as a psychedelic research hub. And with more legal access to psychedelics clinical trials could expand and more best practices for therapeutic use could be developed.

Having a legal framework for research would allow Washington to be a leader in the exploration of psychedelics for mental health but also for neurodegenerative diseases, anxiety disorders and end of life trauma.

14. Psychedelic Reform is Part of Mycology’s Future

In Washington psychedelic reform is more than just drug policy—it’s part of mycology’s bigger picture. Washingtonians love fungi with residents foraging for wild edible mushrooms and supporting academic research on the ecological importance of fungi.

Legislative proposals aim to legalize the use, cultivation, and transfer of natural psychedelics, emphasizing their potential benefits and the importance of responsible use.

As the lines between edible, medicinal and psychoactive mushroom species continue to blur through science Washington can adopt a more holistic view of fungi. Psychedelic legalization will further enrich an already vibrant mycological community and show the full range of benefits of fungi. In a world that’s becoming more eco-conscious fungi—including psychoactive species—represent untapped potential for applications in environmental sustainability, medicine and mental health.

Legalization could also bring together the fields of ecology, sustainability, health and therapy—put modern mycology on the map as an industry. Psychedelics are known for their radical impact on mental health and their natural origin, they represent the sweet spot where science, biology and wellness meet.

15. Conclusion: What’s Next for Washington on Psychedelics

As more states move forward with psychedelic reform Washington is at a crossroads. Will it join Oregon, Colorado and other visionary states at the forefront of the therapeutic revolution or fall behind? The state can be a catalyst for change and impact medicine, mental health and mycology if it chooses to do responsible reform.

Legalizing psychedelics in Washington is up to many—grassroots organizations, lawmakers, researchers and regular citizens. With broad support and strong science the state can change its laws and open the door to new treatments.

By staying informed, advocating for policy based on science and engaging the public and political stakeholders Washingtonians can help shape the future of psychedelics in the region. What’s ahead is not just a change in drug policy but the integration of ancient natural tools into modern medicine, mental wellness and therapy.

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Quick Hits

1. Federal Inaction & Congress: Efforts to legalize or decriminalize psychedelics should focus on Congress since the last two presidential administrations have done nothing.

2. Washington’s Current Status: Despite being progressive on cannabis Washington has not legalized psilocybin or other psychedelics. But bills are in the works.

3. Neighborly Pressure: Oregon is leading with psilocybin therapy laws and Washington could follow soon by moving forward on therapeutic and decriminalization.

4. Grassroots: Key grassroots organizations in Washington like Decriminalize Nature Seattle and Psychedelic Medicine Alliance Washington are raising awareness and pushing for policy change.

5. Public Health: Psychedelics can address the growing mental health crisis especially major depression, PTSD and addiction.

6. Public Perception: Overcoming the historical stigma around psychedelics is key for the public to see these substances as therapeutic tools.

7. Business & Industry: Legalization will create huge growth in Washington’s mycology, wellness and mental health treatment industries—new economic opportunities.

8. What’s Next: Advocacy, education and champions are required for real psychedelic reform.

• Marijuana Moment has reported on a specific ballot measure in Washington State aimed at legalizing certain psychedelic plants and fungi, providing detailed information about the initiative's provisions and campaign objectives.

Washington is at a crossroads, between being cautious and moving forward on psychedelic therapies. What happens now will determine the future of mental health and mycology in the state.