Arizona Senate Passes Psilocybin Bill

Psilocybin mushrooms.

The legislation, introduced earlier this month by State Senator Thomas Shope (R), would establish the Arizona Psilocybin Advisory Board under the state’s Department of Health Services. The bill must still pass a final Senate vote before advancing to the House of Representatives.

If enacted, SB 1555 would create a 12-member advisory board tasked with reviewing scientific studies on psilocybin’s safety and efficacy in treating mental health conditions such as addiction, depression, and anxiety disorders. The board would be composed of representatives from state health agencies, law enforcement, and medical professionals, including physicians, psychologists, and researchers with experience in psychedelic-assisted therapy. The bill outlines that the advisory board would meet at least once every two months, with a mandate to publish an annual report summarizing available research and policy developments on psilocybin at both the state and federal levels.

With bipartisan interest in exploring the medical potential of psychedelics, SB 1555’s passage in the Senate would mark a significant step toward formalizing Arizona’s approach to psilocybin research. If the bill clears its final Senate hurdle, it will move to the Arizona House of Representatives.