*Editor’s note: this article was updated on 3/31/25 to clarify votes on HF 620.
Cultural acceptance of certain psychedelics, especially for therapeutic use, continues to evolve. Oregon and Colorado made headlines when they reformed laws around psilocybin, and a number of communities are considering doing the same. This week, three states advanced psychedelic measures—including one you may not expect.
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Some may be surprised to learn that Iowa lawmakers voted unanimously to pass a bill that would allow adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access therapeutic psilocybin. Introduced by Republican Representative John Wills, HF 620 would create a state-regulated program for magic mushrooms. The full House Ways and Means Committee approved the measure after the subcommittee vote earlier in the week.
Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Democratic Representative Andy Smith introduced HF 2699, which would essentially decriminalize the personal use and cultivation of magic mushrooms for adults over 21. The measure was the result of a report from a state task force recommending certain psychedelic laws be reformed.
The bill’s goal is to “reduce the burden on the criminal justice system, promote harm reduction, and enable individuals to make personal decisions regarding the use of psilocybin without fear of prosecution.”
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In other news, legislators in Nevada had their first committee hearing on AB 378, which would create an Alternative Therapy Pilot Program for the medical use of entheogens like psilocybin, mescaline, and ibogaine. According to Marijuana Moment, bill co-sponsor Max Carter testified that psychedelic therapy helped him overcome PTSD and that the compounds could be especially impactful for veterans and first responders.
Psychedelics show promise for a wide range of medical conditions, and lawmakers across the country are taking note. While it may be some time before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves these novel compounds, states are taking matters into their own hands. For patients and advocates, it’s a welcome step in the right direction.
