Psychedelic Medicine Task Force
Psychedelic Medicine Task Force
In the 2023 legislative session, a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force was established to advise the legislature on the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.
For purposes of this section, "psychedelic medicine" means 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, and LSD.
Read more: Minnesota Statutes, section 99: Psychedelic Medicine Task Force
To view the current membership of the Psychedelic Medicine Taskforce, please visit Minnesota Secretary of State Board/Commission Psychedelic Medicine Task Force.
For more information, or if you would like to share resources, expertise, or other personal experiences, contact health.psychedelicmedicine@state.mn.us. Task force members will assess and post opportunities for public input below as work continues.
Task force members will include:
- The governor or a designee
- Two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the house and one appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives, and two members of the senate, one appointed by the senate majority leader and one appointed by the senate minority leader
- The commissioner of health or a designee
- The commissioner of public safety or a designee
- The commissioner of human services or a designee
- The attorney general or a designee
- The executive director of the Board of Pharmacy or a designee
- The commissioner of commerce or a designee
- Members of the public, appointed by the governor, who have relevant knowledge and expertise, including:
- Two members representing Indian Tribes within the boundaries of Minnesota, one representing the Ojibwe Tribes and one representing the Dakota Tribes
- One member with expertise in the treatment of substance use disorders
- One member with experience working in public health policy
- Two veterans with treatment-resistant mental health conditions
- Two patients with treatment-resistant mental health conditions
- One psychiatrist with experience treating treatment-resistant mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder
- One health care practitioner with experience in integrative medicine
- One psychologist with experience treating treatment-resistant mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder
- One member with demonstrable experience in the medical use of psychedelic medicine
The task force shall:
- Survey existing studies in the scientific literature on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and any other mental health conditions and medical conditions for which a psychedelic medicine may provide an effective treatment option
- Compare the efficacy of psychedelic medicine in treating the above conditions with the efficacy of treatments currently used for these conditions
- Develop a comprehensive plan that covers:
- Statutory changes necessary for the legalization of psychedelic medicine
- State and local regulation of psychedelic medicine
- Federal law, policy, and regulation of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on retaining state autonomy to act without conflicting with federal law, including methods to resolve conflicts such as seeking an administrative exemption to the federal Controlled Substances Act under United States Code, title 21, section 822(d), and Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, part 1307.03; seeking a judicially created exemption to the federal Controlled Substances Act; petitioning the United States Attorney General to establish a research program under United States Code, title 21, section 872(e); using the Food and Drug Administration's expanded access program; and using authority under the federal Right to Try Act
- Education of the public on recommendations made to the legislature and others about necessary and appropriate actions related to the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.
Task force meetings
Time: Meetings will generally be held on the first Monday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with the exception of holidays.
Location: Meetings will be held in the Blazing Star Room on the ground floor of the Centennial Building: 658 Cedar Street in Saint Paul.
Meetings will be accessible to the public and will be streamed live during meeting times via the task force’s YouTube channel. The public is also able to join in person in a space scheduled prior to meeting. At least one voting member and staff member will be in attendance, as required by open meeting law, while the majority of members will be attending virtually.
A schedule of upcoming meetings is referenced below.
- Nov. 6, 2023
- Dec. 4, 2023
- Jan. 8, 2024
- Feb. 5, 2024
- March 4, 2024
- April 1, 2024
- May 6, 2024
- June 3, 2024
- July 1, 2024
- Aug. 5, 2024
- Sept. 9, 2024
- Oct. 7, 2024
- Nov. 4, 2024
- Dec. 2, 2024
Nov. 6, 2023
- November Agenda (PDF)
- Draft Psychedelic Medicine Task Force Charter (PDF)
- November Meeting Slides (PDF)
- November Meeting Summary (PDF)
Dec. 4, 2023
- December Agenda (PDF)
- Draft Task Force Charter V2 (PDF)
- December Meeting Slides (PDF)
- Draft Scientific Research Methods (PDF)
- December Meeting Summary (PDF)
Jan. 8, 2023
- January Agenda (PDF)
- January Meeting Slides (PDF)
- Draft Task Force Charter V3 (PDF)
- January Meeting Summary (PDF)
Feb. 5, 2024
- February Agenda (PDF)
- February Meeting Slides (PDF)
- Task Force Charter V4 (Word)
- February Meeting Summary (PDF)
March 5, 2024
April 1, 2024
May 6, 2024
Reports
The task force will submit their findings and recommendations to the legislature. As reports become available, they will be posted on this page.
Psychedelic Medicine Task Force Legislative Report: February 2024 (PDF)
Psychedelic Medicine Overview
For purposes of this task force, "psychedelic medicine" refers to 3 drugs psilocybin, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally-occurring substance found in certain species of fungi (“magic mushrooms”), and has a structure similar to serotonin. On its own the compound is inactive, but through metabolism becomes the psychoactive psilocin. Psilocybin has a long history of use in many indigenous cultures due to its potential to induce altered states of consciousness and elicit spiritual experiences. Recent studies have shown that psilocybin may be an effective therapeutic treatment for several health conditions, both mental and physical. Specifically, psilocybin may be effective in treating anxiety, treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) obsessive compulsive disorder, cluster headache/migraine, as well as cancer-related mental health, nicotine dependence, and alcohol dependence.
While typically a safe substance in the therapeutic setting, there may be risks for those with certain conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In 2020, Oregon legalized psilocybin for therapeutic treatments beginning in the summer of 2023. Washington, Colorado, California, and Massachusetts have begun exploring legalization/decriminalization of the substance as well.
MDMA
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic drug that, while typically known for recreational use, has shown therapeutic potential for the treatment of certain mental health conditions, particularly PTSD. Like psilocybin, MDMA affects the serotonergic system in the brain. When used within mental health therapy conditions, MDMA promotes the feelings of trust, empathy, and emotional openness, facilitating better engagement in the therapeutic process. A number of large-scale clinical trials have been performed since the FDA granted a “Breakthrough Therapy Designation” for the drug in 2017. Though generally a safe substance when used in a clinical setting, side effects may include increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as anxiety. In 2023, Australia legalized the use of MDMA for therapeutic purposes.
LSD
LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic hallucinogen that is most well-known for its mind-altering effects and association with the 1960s counterculture. However, like the drugs mentioned above, LSD affects the serotonergic system in the brain, making it potentially a valuable therapeutic treatment option. LSD is thought to work by altering perception and cognition, potentially enabling individuals to explore their thoughts and emotions more deeply and confront unresolved psychological issues, when used in a therapeutic setting. As such, studies have begun researching its potential to aid in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In clinical trials under therapeutic supervision the drug has largely proven to be safe, but risks include anxiety, paranoia, or other distressing experiences.
Resources
- Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
- Johns Hopkins Psychedelics Research and Psilocybin Therapy
- Oregon Health Authority Psilocybin Services
- Washington State Health Care Authority Psilocybin Work Group
- Colorado Proposition 122: Access to Natural Psychedelic Substances
- California SB-58 Controlled Substances: Decriminalization of Certain Hallucinogenic Substances
- Massachusetts Bill H.3589 An Act Concerning the Legalization of Certain Natural Plants and Fungi