The governor of California has signed a bill into law that’s meant to streamline the processing of applications to study psychedelics and marijuana.
While advocates have experienced a series of setbacks in the push to provide legal access to certain psychedelics over the past several sessions, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) approved the modest reform on Thursday, about two weeks after it cleared the legislature.
The legislation from Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R) is meant to help clear a logjam of psychedelics study applications overseen by the Research Advisory Panel of California (RAPC), which has almost 70 pending proposals.
The body hasn’t met since last August following a policy change that prevented it from holding closed-door meetings. Members decided to suspend their activities because they’re prohibited under existing law from publicly disclosing applicants’ trade secrets and other confidential information.
To resolve the issue, the legislation reauthorizes the panel to carry out their duties in closed-door meetings, freeing them up to process the backlog.
Under the newly enacted law, the panel will be directed to provide a report to lawmakers by January 1, 2026 providing an update on the backlog of applications, including the number reviewed and the number still yet to be reviewed,
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