The California Assembly has unanimously approved a Republican-led bill to create a state workgroup that would be tasked with exploring a regulatory framework to provide therapeutic access to psychedelics like psilocybin and ibogaine.
In a 58-0 vote on Tuesday, the chamber cleared the legislation from Assemblymember Marie Waldron (R), sending it to the Senate. This comes weeks after two Assembly committees unanimously advanced the measure.
“These therapies have the potential to save countless lives,” Waldron said on the floor. “As we know, California is experiencing a severe mental health crisis with rising rates of anxiety, depression, substance use, PTSD, suicide and other debilitating conditions. AB 941 proposes a solution to this crisis through the exploration of the therapeutic possibilities of psychedelic-assisted therapy.”
If the legislature were to enact a regulatory framework as recommended by the workgroup, which would be situated under the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), the bill would also allow health practitioners to lawfully administer psychedelics in a therapeutic setting.
“We need the data, the research and the recommendations of experts in this promising field of therapeutics,” Waldron said. “Above all, AB 941 is a proactive and forward-thinking approach to the mental health crisis in California—and key to
Read full article on Marijuana Moment
