Massachusetts could soon take action on the regulation of psychedelic therapy, with a recently certified a ballot initiative for voters and a newly introduced bill for legislative consideration.

Voters will decide on November 5th if Massachusetts Question No 4 will pass. The Natural Psychedelic Substances Act would remove personal use of natural psychedelics from the illicit market, and provide supervised, safe access in a therapeutic setting through a regulated and taxed system.

The Act would establish an advisory board to guide:

• Public health approaches and educational campaigns regarding use, effect, and risk reduction for natural psychedelic substances
• Research on the efficacy and regulation of these substances, including recommendations related to safety, harm reduction, and cultural responsibility
• Training programs and licensing for facilitators to ensure participant safety, increase access to services, and reduce barriers to licensure

Meanwhile, Massachusetts House Bill 4976 would establish a working group to study if psychedelic therapy is associated with improved outcomes among veterans with diagnosed mental health disorders. This group would evaluate literature, research trials, and expert opinions, and then issue recommendations regarding the provision of psychedelic therapy to treat veterans with mental health disorders.