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New Jersey Lawmakers Approve Bill To Legalize Psilocybin Therapy

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3 months ago

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New Jersey lawmakers have advanced a bill provide adults with regulated therapeutic access to psilocybin with appropriate health conditions, with the intention of continuing to work to enact it in the 2026 legislative session.

More than a year after the House Health Committee first took up and amended the legislation — sponsored by Reps. Herb Conaway (D), Clinton Calabrese (D) and Anthony Verrelli (D) — the panel met Monday, taking testimony and benefiting from it.

“We’re all broke in one way, shape or form,” Verrelli (D), one of the bill’s sponsors, said at Monday’s hearing. “This bill gives people another chance to heal and improve. And if they get better, it gives them an opportunity to improve their communities, their families and their lives in general, to break that cycle of trauma, whatever it looks like.”

The committee amended the legislation last year to match the Senate version. To the disappointment of the defenders, however, this meant removing provisions that would have more broadly legalized psilocybin for adult use.

The plan, which included the personal legislative provisions that were originally introduced in the same form as the one proposed by lawmakers in the 2024 session, has recently been released in amended versions. Those ingredients would make it legal for adults to “possess, possess, use, ingest, inhale, process, transport, deliver without consideration, or distribute without consideration” four grams or less of psilocybin.

The amended measures, however, would significantly expand legislation introduced in late 2020 to reduce penalties for possessing an ounce of psilocybin. That reform Governor Phil Murphy (D) signed it into law in 2021

Stacy Swanson, who testified on behalf of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS), emphasized at Monday’s hearing that “the invisible wounds of war don’t just affect the veteran, they affect the entire family.”

“This bill does not legalize recreational drugs,” he said. “It creates structured access that is clinically supervised, with the necessary integration and monitoring.”

In its modified version, The invoice It would charge the Department of Health (DOH) with regulating and licensing the manufacture, testing, transportation, delivery, sale and purchase of psilocybin. There would be five types of licenses: manufacturer, service center operator, testing lab, facilitator, and psilocybin worker.

The Psilocybin Advisory Committee would establish appropriate medical conditions for use, propose guidelines for psilocybin services and dosage, craft safety studies and informed consent practices, and oversee the education, training, and conduct of facilitators.

The stated goal would be to develop a long-term strategic plan for safe, accessible, and affordable access to psilocybin for those 21 and older.

Toward this end, a social equity program would include implementing grants to help low-income people cover the costs of psilocybin services. DOH would direct the implementation of programs for technical assistance, fee reduction and other support services.

Jesse McLaughlin, state advocacy director for Reason for Hope, said Monday hearing that psychedelic medicine represents “the next big step forward in psychiatry” and we need to prepare our healthcare system for it.

“Psilocybin therapy is time-intensive, labor-intensive and different from the way psychiatric care is delivered today,” he said.

To access psilocybin services under the bill, a patient with a qualifying condition would have to obtain a referral from a licensed health care professional. Services would also include mandatory preparation and integration sessions before and after psilocybin administration.

The Assembly bill is in the hands of the Appropriations Committee. The Friend the Senate has already cleared two panels in that chamber—Health, Human Services and Elderly Committee and Budget and Credit Committee.

A survey of New Jersey residents released last year bears this out A majority of state residents agree with making psilocybin available for therapeutic usealthough they were not specifically asked about the specific legislation.

The poll, by Stockton University’s William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, found that 55 percent of respondents supported legalizing psilocybin for medical use under the supervision of a physician. Only 20% of respondents were against, and 24% were not sure. A percentage of respondents refused to answer the question.

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
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In other New Jersey drug policy news, Voters earlier this month chose U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) to be the state’s next governor.and now there’s a clearer path to the marijuana reform that consumers and advocates in the Garden State have long awaited: the option to grow it at home.

Meanwhile, as New Jersey’s first marijuana lounges opened this summerregulators shared information on where to find the sites and offered advice on the responsible use of cannabis in licensed businesses, including rock culture classics like “puff, puff, pass.”

New Jersey officials have also completed the curriculum for a no-cost marijuana training academy to help entrepreneurs interested in entering the cannabis industry.

Separately, in May, New Jersey Senate President Nick Scutari (D) introduced a bill that would recriminalize the purchase of marijuana from unlicensed sources-A last ditch effort to combat the illegal market and direct adults to licensed dealers.

In March, a former New Jersey Senate leader unsuccessfully ran for this year’s Democratic nomination for governor. “It’s time” to allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis plants for personal use. He also pledged to expand amnesty for people affected by the criminalization of marijuana, if elected, and supported the establishment of cannabis consumption halls.

The comments by Sweeney, the longest-serving Senate president in the state’s history, diverge from what the current governor has repeatedly said about home growing, arguing that the state’s adult marijuana market needs to mature more before allowing home growing.

That claim appears to be contradicted by dozens of small marijuana businesses and advocacy groups in New Jersey recently He asked Parliament to allow adults to grow their own cannabis.

user photo CostaPPR.

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Swiss company launches nationwide price comparison tool for cannabis

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5 hours ago

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March 2, 2026

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Evidena Care AG is one of the leading Swiss telemedicine platforms and specialized medical practices for medical cannabis. The company currently supports more than 2,000 patients across the country. Under the direction of Dr. Nicolai Berardi and two other specialist doctors, Evidena Care has focused on evidence-based, responsible and patient-centered treatment for the past two years.

Now, Evidena Care is launching a nationwide online comparison portal for medical cannabis products. The platform is designed for patients who already have a valid medical prescription and want a clear and reliable view of the market. For the first time in Switzerland, patients can directly compare products and prices from the country’s largest pharmacies in one place.

Medical cannabis plays an essential role in the treatment plans of many patients. At the same time, prices can vary significantly between pharmacies, even when the products contain the same levels of active ingredients. As these costs are often not covered by health insurance, or only partially covered, many patients have a heavy financial burden. The new portal addresses this issue by bringing transparency to a market that until now has been difficult to navigate.

The platform provides an overview of available products and dosages, clearly lists the active ingredient content, such as THC and CBD levels, and displays the current prices of leading Swiss pharmacies. Patients can directly compare options and make informed decisions that help optimize their therapy costs, without compromising medical guidance.

“Patients should not be victims of non-transparent pricing structures,” says Dr. Nicolai Berardi, CEO of Evidena Care AG. “We are creating transparency with our comparison portal, strengthening the self-responsibility of those affected and promoting fair competition in the interests of patients.”

The portal is only for people with a valid prescription. It serves as a true information tool and supports cost optimization in an existing therapy supervised by a physician.

For more information:
Evidena Care AG
Email: (email protected)
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Virginia Lawmakers Advance Marijuana Resentencing Bills As Push To Legalize Commercial Sales Also Nears Finish Line

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5 hours ago

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March 2, 2026

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Virginia’s House and Senate lawmakers have advanced a pair of bills with amendments that would allow people with prior marijuana convictions to be sentenced.

Members of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on Monday approved alternate versions of the reform bill in opposite chambers, setting the stage for bicameral negotiations as the measures move through the legislative process.

Broadly, the legislation introduced in both chambers would create a process to consider changing the sentences for people incarcerated or on community supervision for certain crimes involving the possession, manufacture, sale or distribution of marijuana.

The Senate panel approved it HB 26 In a 9-6 vote by Del. Rozia Henson (D), with revisions largely consistent with the House bill, SB 62that is being backed by Senate President Pro Tem Louise Lucas (D). passed on the floor last month before going Home.

Senators have now referred the House measure to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

There are some differences between the sizes of the chambers. The House-passed legislation includes minors who would be eligible for relief from marijuana-related convictions, clarifies that judges would only consider convictions for cannabis offenses and specifies that the reform would include people with marijuana-related probation violations.

Both proposed bills apply to people with convictions or convictions for conduct that occurred before July 1, 2021, when a state law legalizing personal possession and home cultivation of marijuana went into effect.




As for the Senate bill, which clean up The House committee’s 15-7 vote Monday would have eliminated more categories of people who could be eligible for the sentence as an alternative, and would add a longer list of violent crimes that make people with cannabis convictions ineligible for relief.

Against the background of these recent developments, Virginia bills to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana have moved forward in the way of implementing laws. Last week, members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate modified and advanced the proposals of the opposite chambers on the subject.

Members of the Virginia Legislature Last month, he took action on multiple marijuana bills during a major deadline—advance proposals to legalize the sale of cannabis, provide a way to punish previous marijuana convictions, as well as other laws to allow access to medical cannabis for seriously ill patients in hospitals.

Despite their stark differences, the two chambers’ trade sales bills have largely aligned with recommendations released by the legislature in December. Joint Committee to Oversee the Transition to the Commonwealth Retail Cannabis Market.

Meanwhile, some members of the GOP have aligned ideologically with their Democratic colleagues throughout this legislative process, breaking with the majority of their caucus. in favor of creating a regulated market for adults to buy cannabis.

Since legalizing cannabis ownership and home cultivation in 2021, Virginia lawmakers have been working to establish a commercial marijuana market– Only for those efforts to stall under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), who twice vetoed measures sent to his desk by the Legislature.

Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D), on the other hand, supports legalizing the sale of marijuana to adults.

Separately last month, the Virginia House patients passed a bill to allow the use of medical marijuana in hospitals. It would require health care facilities to implement policies “to address the situation in which an eligible patient is authorized to use medical cannabis.”

The Senate passed various pieces of legislation use of medical cannabis in healthcare facilities last month

—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—

Meanwhile, the Virginia House passed the bill earlier this month Protecting the rights of parents who use marijuana by complying with state laws.

Del. According to the proposal by Nadarius Clark (D), a parent or guardian’s own use of cannabis “shall not serve as a basis for a finding of abuse or neglect of a child unless other facts establish that its possession or consumption causes or produces physical or mental injury to the child.”

“A person’s legal possession or consumption of substances permitted (under state marijuana law) shall not serve as a basis for limiting custody or visitation unless other facts establish that such possession or consumption is not in the best interest of the child,” reads the text of HB 942.

Separately, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry has published a new defining workplace protections for cannabis users.

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State counties could tax medical marijuana sales under a new House bill

Published

1 day ago

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March 1, 2026

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A bill that would allow Oklahoma counties to impose a tax on retail marijuana sales has passed a committee in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Under the Oklahoma Legislature, House Bill 3314, authored by Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, would allow counties to impose a tax of 15 percent of the impact of public utilities within county boundaries. The bill is similar to Senate Bill 1125, introduced by state Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, in the Oklahoma Senate during the 2025 legislative session. SB 1125 would allow counties and municipalities to levy an excise tax on medical marijuana.

HB3314 passed the House County and Municipal Government Committee on a 6-0 vote, and now moves to the Government Oversight Committee for further consideration. The invoice does not automatically generate tax. If a county chooses to join, it must first be approved by a majority of the county’s voters in a special election. The bill also exempts marijuana grown on private property by individuals and not sold.

“Countries are the ones dealing with the daily impact of marijuana sales,” Eaves said. “This allows local communities to decide for themselves whether they want to allocate a portion of that revenue to law enforcement, first responders and improving problem properties.”

Read more at News 9










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