Maryland Senators Weigh Bill To Extend Psychedelics Task Force Through 2027

Maryland senators have taken up a bill to extend a psychedelics task force
through the end of 2027 to develop updated recommendations on expanding
therapeutic access to the novel drugs and potentially creating a regulatory
framework for broader legalization.

The Senate Finance Committee considered the legislation from Sen. Brian
Feldman (D) at a hearing on Thursday. A Home companion version sponsored by
Del. Pam Guzzone (D) was separately taken up by the Health Committee on
Tuesday.

The proposals are aimed at building upon a current law that created the
Maryland Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances.

That panel released an initial final report to state lawmakers last year,
with recommendations for the phased implementation of a wide range of
reforms to provide legal therapeutic access to substances such as psilocybin
.

“The mission was to study the use of natural psychedelic substances and
make recommendations regarding changes to state law, policy and practices
to create a Maryland natural psychedelic substance access program and to
make recommendations to transition from the criminalization of these
substances,” Feldman said at Thursday’s hearing. “This is a really
hard-working group of individuals.”

Members of the task force have already advised that it was ultimately
recommending a “multi-pathway framework for safe, broad, and equitable
access to natural psychedelic substances, with an initial focus on
psilocybin.”

The psychedelics task force was formed following Gov. Wes Moore’s (D)
signing of a pair of bills into law in 2024. The 17-person body, overseen
by the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA), was charged with studying
how to ensure “broad, equitable and affordable access to psychedelic
substances” in the state.

SB 336 and HB 427 would continue that work, maintaining the panel through
December 31, 2027. In the interim, the task force would be required to
submit an updated report to legislators with additional findings and
recommendations by October 31 of this year.

Andrew Coop, chair of the task force, told the committee that psychedelic
substances “affect mood and perception” and “have been used for millennia
in spiritual ceremonies.”

“While unique risks do exist, clinical trials show efficacy for
treatment-resistant depression, cancer-related anxiety, PTSD, traumatic
brain injury, chronic pain, headache and more,” he said. “The additional
time we’re asking for the next report is to develop those ideas so we can
put draft regulations in place so that this can be a benefit to all
citizens.”

Shanetha Marable-Lewis, an Army veteran and member of the task force, said
that “Maryland has been a pioneer in psychedelic science since the 1950s,
leading groundbreaking research that has shaped global understanding of
these compounds.”

“This history and tradition uniquely well-positions us to create
responsible resident-centered, evidence-based policy that leads to national
access models rather than simply reacting to or replicating them,” she
said. “The task force does not support delaying state action pending future
federal approval. This is due to the fact that, despite federal
restrictions and the absence of [Food and Drug Administration-approved]
options, clinical and public interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy is
surging nationwide.”

Beyond the extended timeline for the task force to study and develop the
report, the current law would not change under the legislation.

The multi-step regulatory framework that members recommended last year
“involves phased implementation of complementary elements from
medical/therapeutic use and supervised adult use, to deprioritization, and
to commercial sales,” the report said. “This model broadly and inclusively
serves the needs of Maryland’s diverse population while enabling unified
safety standards, accountability, and viable economic pathways for small
businesses.”

The first phase of the plan would be to create an advisory board to
establish safety parameters, data monitoring, practice guidelines,
licensing protections, public education campaigns, training for
facilitators, law enforcement and testing facilities, as well as “immediate
restorative justice measures,” the report states.

Under phase two, the state would implement “deprioritization measures” to
mitigate the harms of criminalization, provide for supervised medical and
adult-use consumption facilities, allow personal cultivation for “permitted
individuals” and promote research processes.

Finally, phase three would be contingent on the “demonstrated safety
outcomes and provider confidence” based on the prior steps. Should those
factors be satisfied, the last phase would lead to a commercial sales
program for adults “who maintain an active license to use natural
psychedelic substances,” coupled with an evaluation of the state’s
“readiness for expanding to additional natural psychedelic substances.”

“Safety and oversight measures ensure responsible and gradual expansion of
access while maintaining capacity to identify and respond to emerging
issues swiftly,” the report said. “This approach plans for long-term
learning and improvement: starting small, utilizing built-in evaluation and
accountability mechanisms from the outset, gathering real-world data, and
committing to an iterative approach to policymaking.”

Notably, the task force said it did *not* support “delaying state action
pending future federal [Food and Drug Administration] approval.”

“The Task Force recognizes that implementing such a comprehensive framework
requires careful sequencing and coordination, with particular attention to
scope of practice issues that may significantly affect the viability and
safety of different pathways. However, the order of implementation must
carefully consider professional regulatory frameworks and safety concerns
raised by medical organizations and health care providers. The Task Force’s
recommendation for simultaneous implementation of multiple pathways does
not mean that all components must activate on the exact same day, but
rather that Maryland should avoid the sequential approach seen in other
jurisdictions where implementing one pathway causes others to
‘languish,’and/or bolster black and gray markets.”

Rather, the task force said, the multi-phase approach to psychedelics
reform “establishes foundational systems that support all pathways equally,
followed by a coordinated launch of medical, supervised adult use, and
deprioritization pathways, with commercial sales following once product
safety systems are operational.”

Members also said that the model envisioned could be used by other states
to develop their own laws that “adapt to their own circumstances and
values.”At this point, the task force is only looking at psilocybin,
mescaline and DMT.

While the legislature empowered members to investigate potential
regulations for other psychedelic substances, they decided to take a more
conservative approach in their initial work.

As originally introduced, the House version of the task force legislation
contained more prescriptive requirements to explore and issue
recommendations on aspects of psychedelics policy such as “systems to
support statewide online sales of natural psychedelic substances with home
delivery” and “testing and packaging requirements for products containing
natural psychedelic substances with clear and accurate labeling of
potency.” That language was ultimately removed, however.

The task force legislation advanced 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.


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Meanwhile, last week Maryland lawmakers took up a bill to protect the gun
rights of medical marijuana patients in the state.

Members of the House Judiciary Committee discussed the legislation from
Del. Robin Grammer (R) last Wednesday. The delegate has sponsored multiple
versions of the cannabis and gun rights measure over recent sessions, but
they have not yet advanced to enactment.

Meanwhile, a Republican congressional lawmaker representing Maryland who
has built a reputation as one of the staunchest opponents of marijuana
reform on Capitol Hill—and whose record includes ensuring that Washington,
D.C. officials are blocked from legalizing recreational cannabis sales—may
be at risk of being unseated in November due to redistricting in his state.

*Image courtesy of CostaPPR.*

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Through 2027 appeared first on Marijuana Moment.