Governor of Maryland Approves Psychedelics Task Force Legislation for Equitable Access Study

The governor of Maryland has signed a pair of bills into law to establish a psychedelics task force that will study legal access to substances like psilocybin and DMT. About a month after lawmakers sent the complementary legislation to his desk, Gov. Wes Moore (D) gave them final approval on Thursday.

Task Force Objectives and Oversight

The new law creates a “Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances” overseen by the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA). The task force is specifically charged with ensuring “broad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances” within the state.

Members of the task force will be required to examine and make recommendations on various issues, including permitting requirements, access to treatment and regulated support, and production of natural psychedelic substances. Additionally, the body will explore expunging prior convictions for psychedelics and releasing individuals incarcerated for such offenses. They will also consider potential civil penalties for nonviolent infractions involving natural psychedelic substances.

Composition and Scope of the Task Force

The governor, legislative leaders, and various state agencies will appoint the 17-member task force, which will focus on policies surrounding psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine, and mescaline (excluding peyote-derived mescaline). Members will also have the discretion to review other psychedelics as deemed necessary.

The task force’s recommendations are due to the governor and legislature by July 31, 2025. The legislation will sunset after two and a half years.

Legislative Adjustments and Broader Context

As originally introduced, the House version contained more detailed requirements, such as exploring systems for statewide online sales and establishing testing and packaging requirements for products containing natural psychedelic substances. However, this language was ultimately removed.

The task force legislation advances about two years after a different law took effect, creating a state fund to provide “cost-free” access to psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine for military veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injury.

National Trends in Psychedelics Reform

Maryland’s move is part of a growing trend among states pursuing psychedelics reform legislation focused on research and therapeutic access.

For instance, Alaska’s Senate recently approved a bill to create a state task force to study the regulation of psychedelic-assisted therapy upon federal approval. Vermont lawmakers have passed a similar bill to establish a state working group for recommendations on regulating substances like psilocybin and MDMA, which now awaits Governor Phil Scott’s (R) decision.

Indiana’s governor has signed a bill funding clinical research trials into psilocybin, while Utah’s governor allowed a bill authorizing a hospital pilot program for psilocybin and MDMA to become law without his signature.

Maine lawmakers have sent legislation to the governor to establish a commission for studying and recommending regulations for psychedelic services. An Arizona House panel has approved a bill to legalize psilocybin service centers for medically supervised use.

Additionally, a Connecticut joint legislative panel approved a bill to decriminalize psilocybin possession, and a bipartisan bill to legalize psychedelic service centers in California has cleared two Senate committees.

New Mexico’s governor has endorsed a resolution for state officials to research the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and explore creating a regulatory framework for access. In Illinois, a committee recently discussed a bill to legalize psilocybin and regulate its use at service centers, with plans to expand the program to include other substances like mescaline, ibogaine, and DMT.

Broader National Discussion

Lawmakers in Hawaii have considered a bill for legal protections for patients using psilocybin-assisted therapy under medical supervision. New York lawmakers believe a bill to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy has a “real chance” of passing this year.

In Nevada, a joint legislative committee held hearings on the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin, with law enforcement acknowledging the need for some reforms, including potential rescheduling. The governor of Massachusetts has also promoted a veterans-focused bill that would create a psychedelics work group to study substances like psilocybin, alongside a potential ballot initiative to legalize psychedelics.

The trend towards psychedelic reform continues to gain momentum, with Maryland’s new task force legislation representing a significant step towards understanding and potentially expanding legal access to natural psychedelic substances.