Vicente LLP's Psychedelics & Emerging Therapies Update: September 2023

Sep 11, 2023

State News & Insights

California

California Assembly Approves Psychedelics Legalization Bill

Thanks to the work of New Approach and many allies, SB58 passed the California Assembly on September 6, becoming the first psychedelic bill to pass two legislative chambers. It’s now headed back to the Senate for a concurrence vote before heading to the Governor’s desk. Read more.

Colorado

Colorado Natural Medicine Health Act Tracker Produced by Vicente LLP and Psychedelic Alpha

Vicente LLP is proud to collaborate with Psychedelic Alpha—an independent newsletter and community in the field of psychedelics—on the Colorado Natural Medicine Health Act Tracker, which includes high-level statistics, anticipated recommendations, and regularly published Natural Medicine Advisory Bulletins. The bulletins will provide updates from Natural Medicine Advisory Board meetings, along with other important information related to the implementation of the NMHA and psychedelics reform in Colorado.

Colorado Natural Medicine Division to Host Public Listening Sessions for Input on Regulatory Rulemaking

The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division is hosting a series of Listening Sessions aimed at engaging stakeholders and the public in shaping the regulatory framework for natural medicine facilities in the state that the DOR is responsible for implementing. Stakeholders, experts, and interested parties are encouraged to actively participate in the sessions. Those who possess information to share on the mentioned topics and who wish to present during a Listening Session are invited to contact Allison Robinette at allison.robinette@state.co.us .

The first session was held on September 5 and focused on an SB 23-290 Overview & Introduction to Natural Medicine Division. View the recording and presentation slides.

September 12: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: First & Multi Responder Trainings
September 22: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Public Education Campaigns
September 27: 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Testing Program
October 3: 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Cultivation & Manufacturing Practices

View detailed agendas and meeting links for each session.

Join the Movement to Support Safe, Equitable Access to Psychedelic Medicines in Colorado

Healing Advocacy Fund Colorado (HAF) exists to support safe, equitable and effective implementation of the Natural Medicine Health Act, with the hope that Colorado can serve as a model for thoughtful and ethical reform. Grounded in values of safety, inclusivity, equity and responsibility, the organization intends to foster opportunities for community participation as this implementation journey unfolds.

Sign up for HAF’s newsletter for news, updates, events and research around the implementation of the NMHA

Interested in being a part of the Proposition 122 Implementation Coalition? Fill out this brief survey from HAF
Donate to HAF. Your charitable donation supports safe, equitable access to psilocybin therapy for those who need it.

Michigan

Psychedelics Reform Could Be on the 2024 Ballot in Massachusetts

Massachusetts for Mental Health Options’ ballot proposals were recently certified by the Attorney General and the next step is for activists to gather and file signatures by December 26, 2023. Both proposals would create a regulatory framework for access to psychedelics at licensed facilities, but only one includes a home grow option. Learn more about the proposals.

Federal News & Insights

DEA Hosting Public Listening Sessions to Receive Additional Input on Prescribing Controlled Substances (like Ketamine) Through Telemedicine

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is conducting public listening sessions to receive additional input concerning the practice of controlled substances being prescribed via telemedicine. The listening sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 12 and Wednesday, September 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The deadline has passed to request to attend the in-person events, but the sessions will be livestreamed. Keep checking this webpage for a link to the livestream.

Psychedelic Therapy Group Outlines First-ever Professional Guidelines

The American Psychedelic Practitioners Association has outlined the first set of professional guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therap. These principles aim to bring structure to the field amid rapidly growing interest in incorporating psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA into mental health treatment. View the guidelines.

Miscellaneous News & Insights

American Medical Association Study of Single-dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder Finds a Significant Reduction in Depressive Symptoms and Functional Disability

The American Medical Association recently published a study in which researchers evaluated the magnitude, timing, and durability of antidepressant effects and safety of a single dose of psilocybin in patients with major depressive disorder. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, 6-week trial in 104 adults, a 25-mg dose of psilocybin administered with psychological support was associated with a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect. Read the summary from Marijuana Moment.

WeedWonks Episode 69: Joshua Kappel Takes Us on a Long, Strange Trip into the Intricacies of Psychedelics Legalization

In the latest Weed Wonks episode, Joshua Kappel, a founding partner of cannabis law firm Vicente LLP and co-founder of the Microdosing Collective speaks to Jordan Wellington about Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act, what it takes to pass psychedelics reform legislation, how to educate lawmakers on psychedelics and the idea of community-based health, and what happens when this model clashes with the state’s desire to exert control. Listen here!

These Coloradans Sought Out Psilocybin-assisted Therapy Before It Was Legal. Here’s Why.

As Colorado navigates the largely uncharted waters of legalized access, residents who sought out psychedelic-assisted treatment for their mental health say the experiences impacted their lives positively. Read this Denver Post article to learn the stories of three Coloradans who utilized psilocybin treatment.

Support the Cause!

Non-profit organizations Reason for Hope and the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition (VMHLC) are leading a coordinated federal and state advocacy strategy to accelerate access to psychedelic "Breakthrough Therapies" for suicide prevention, specifically for the treatment of PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and major depressive disorder. These organizations are supporting the BTA. One way you can support the cause is by donating to Reason for Hope or VMHLC.

Events

September 15-18 | Psychedelic Trailblazers Mastermind by Third Wave

Joshua Kappel will attend the Psychedelic Trailblazers Mastermind by Third Wave, where he’ll be leading a workshop on the legal landscape in psychedelics. In this workshop, Joshua will explore the legal considerations for psychedelic businesses, and provide strategies for compliance and success such as licensing and compliance requirements for psychedelic businesses and practitioners, liability and risk management strategies for psychedelic businesses and intellectual property protection for psychedelic businesses and products.

The event will be held in a beautiful retreat center outside Aspen, Colorado and there are still a few spots left. Register here!

September 29-30 | Psycon Denver

Founding partner Joshua Kappel will join the Psycon panel “The Latest Updates on Psychedelic Policy in Colorado,” which features a panel of key leaders in Colorado’s psychedelic community discussing the latest updates on psychedelic policy in Colorado, including a forecast of the unique business opportunities created by the Natural Medicine Health Act.

Vicente attorney Yolanda Clarke will take the stage at Psycon in Denver to present the session “Colorado Natural Medicine Health Act Licensing 101,” which will help attendees learn the ins and outs of the Natural Medicine Health Act and its framework for licensing, and helpful tips to get on the path to success in this exciting new field.

Learn more about the event and register here!

October 21 | Psychedelic Missouri Freedom Conference

Joshua Kappel is slated to speak on the panel “Decriminalizing & Commercializing Psychedelics” at the Psychedelic Missouri Freedom Conference in St. Louis on October 21, 2023. Get your tickets here.

November 9 – 11 | Wonderland

Presented by Microdose, Wonderland is coming to Miami November 9-11, 2023.

Resources

To access Psychedelics & Emerging Therapies-related legislative summaries, regulatory updates, licensing information, informational webinars and events from Vicente LLP, simply bookmark this webpage

Sign up for psychedelic and emerging therapies email updates from Vicente LLP.