psychedelic policy UPDATES IN APPALACHIAn states
Psychedelic Policy in Appalachia
The landscape of psychedelic policy is dynamic and complex, with a mixture of prohibition, indigenous rights, decriminalization, regulated medical use, and harm reduction.
We recommend reading our Brief Overview of Psychedelic Policy for a basic understanding.
The list below includes a general overview of legislative changes and relevant initiatives shaping the psychedelic policy landscape in Appalachian states.
We use the 13 states named by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
Psychedelic Policy BY STATE
This list is not comprehensive. To correct, update, or inform us, please email us!
Alabama
No current or past bills related to psychedelics have been introduced in Alabama.
If you know this to be untrue, please email us at appalachianpsychedelicnews@gmail.com
Georgia
On March 30, 2022, the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee amended the composition of the proposed House Study Committee on Alternative Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Resources for Veterans to include an agent of the Georgia Department of Public Health. Following the adoption of this amendment, the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to approve the legislation. It will now move to the House Rules Committee for further consideration.
On September 6, 2022, Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari referred Resolution 22-R-4257 to the Atlanta City Council for consideration. If passed, it would make “the investigation and arrest of persons for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, engaging in practices with, or possessing Entheogenic Plants, Fungi, and Spores or compounds which are on the Federal Schedule 1 list” the lowest enforcement priority for the Atlanta Police department. “Entheogenic Plants, Fungi, and Spores” is defined as “the full spectrum of plants, fungi, and natural materials and/or their extracted compounds: indole amines, tryptamines, and phenethylamines; that can benefit psychological and physical wellness, support and enhance religious and spiritual practices.” The resolution explicitly notes that it does not authorize the commercial sale or manufacture of Entheogenic Plants, Fungi, and Spores. On October 10, 2022, Atlanta City Council members decided not to advance the resolution; instead, it was determined by unanimous vote that the resolution would be held in committee for further consideration.
kentucky
On January 4, 2023, HB 98 was introduced, titled “An Act Relating to Controlled Substances.” If passed, the bill would “amend possession of controlled substance statutes to reduce the penalty.” It would also amend state law “to provide for referrals to treatment for persons charged with possession of controlled substances” and “to decriminalize possession of items to test, store, or consume controlled substances.” In addition, the bill would establish a program for harm reduction centers.
On May 31, 2023, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that the state would take $42 million from their portion of the Opioid Settlement Fund and invest it into researching addiction treatment with ibogaine. Later, a new AG removed W. Bryan Hubbard, JD. from the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, which had proposed the investment. Hubbard has now moved to Ohio and elsewhere to pursue the same interests.
2025, Citizens can now access the Office of Medical Cannabis (OCM) application portal to submit their information and pay a one-time fee of $25 to obtain a medical cannabis card.
To qualify for a medical cannabis card, patients must provide a written certification from a doctor confirming that they have a qualifying medical condition. Doctors have been authorized to issue these certifications since early December.
maryland
On January 24, 2024, HB 548 titled “Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances” was introduced to the Maryland State House Health and Government Operations Committee with six sponsors. A companion bill SB 1009 was introduced to the State Senate on February 2, 2024.
The Maryland Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances held its first meetings this November. Created after Governor Wes Moore signed legislation in May, the 17-member task force, overseen by the Maryland Cannabis Administration, is studying equitable access to psychedelics like psilocybin, DMT, and mescaline. Key focus areas include permitting, education, safety, and social justice reforms, such as expunging prior convictions. The task force plans to issue a report by July 2025
mississippi
No current or past bills related to psychedelics have been introduced in Mississippi.
If you know this to be untrue, please email us at appalachianpsychedelicnews@gmail.com
new york
New York Senator Nathalia Fernandez (D) and five cosponsors have pre-filed a 2025 bill to legalize psilocybin therapy for patients with qualifying conditions, allowing treatment with certified facilitators in clinical settings or at home for those unable to travel. The proposal includes a $5 million Psilocybin Assisted Therapy (PAT) grant program to support veterans, first responders, and low-income individuals, along with a pilot program to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms overseen by the state Department of Agriculture to reduce costs. This updated version of a previously stalled bill highlights the growing push for psychedelics reform in New York as lawmakers seek innovative solutions to the mental health crisis. Legislators emphasize the urgency of utilizing psychedelics as a tool to address unmet mental health needs.
north carolina
The latest Psychedelic research bill is titled HB727, and it is the Breakthrough Therapies Research/Advisory Act. It advocates for research and efficacy of MDMA and psilocybin in treating an array of mental health and physical conditions.
House Bill 563, introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly on April 4, 2023, seeks to regulate the sale and distribution of products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids and to establish a regulatory framework for kratom commercialization.
OHio
The Reaching Everyone in Distress Foundation (REID), a charitable organization dedicated to tackling addiction in Ohio. They are investigating the potential of the psychedelic substance ibogaine in addressing opioid use disorder (OUD).
Ohio State University leads the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education (CPDRE).
Watch W. Bryan Hubbard JD.’s talk on ibogaine (41:00) here:
pennsylvannia
Philadelic is a Conference on the transdisciplinary frontiers of psychedelic studies held October 3-6 at the University of Pennsylvania.
On March 16, 2022, HB 2421 (formerly HB 1959) was introduced by Rep. Pennycuick and referred to the Health Committee. The Psilocybin Data Act outlines research and clinical studies on psilocybin therapy to optimize public health benefits. In early 2023, Reps. O’Mara and Pennycuick planned to reintroduce the bill, focusing on military veterans and removing the psilocybin cultivation provision to facilitate its passage through the Health Committee.
South carolina
No current or past bills related to psychedelics have been introduced in South Carolina.
If you know this to be untrue, please email us at appalachianpsychedelicnews@gmail.com
tennessee
No current or past bills related to psychedelics have been introduced in Tennessee.
If you know this to be untrue, please email us at appalachianpsychedelicnews@gmail.com
virginia
Virginia has an active advocacy group titled “Decriminalize Nature Virginia” which states their aim as “To decriminalize entheogenic plants, restore our root connection to nature, and improve human health and well-being.”
SB 932 introduced by Sens. Hashmi and Boysko would establish a Virginia Psilocybin Advisory Board to “develop a long-term strategic plan for establishing therapeutic access to psilocybin services and monitor and study federal laws, regulations, and policies regarding psilocybin.”
west virginia
Delegate Kayla Young has introduced several bills since 2021, most recently on January 10, 2024, HB 4473, which seeks to eliminate the Schedule I status of THC and psilocybin in the Code of West Virginia.
Most of the policy information on this page was referenced from Psychedelic Alpha’s “Psychedelic Legalization & Decriminalization Tracker.”
Some of it has been obtained independently.
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