Washington Senator Prefiles Bill to Create State-Regulated Medical Psilocybin Program

A Washington State senator has prefiled legislation for the 2026 session that would establish a regulated medical psilocybin program under the supervision of the Department of Health. The measure, filed yesterday by State Senator Jesse Salomon (D), would create a new “Washington medical psilocybin act,” setting up a clinical framework allowing adults to receive psilocybin treatment when deemed appropriate by a licensed clinician. The proposal is narrowly focused on medical use and would not legalize psilocybin for general adult use.

Under the bill, eligible patients would be adults 18 and older whose clinician determines that psilocybin treatment is appropriate based on professional judgment. Rather than listing specific qualifying conditions in statute, the legislation leaves that determination entirely to the clinician, who would also assume full professional liability consistent with existing medical malpractice and negligence laws.

The proposal outlines two treatment models: supervised inpatient services, where psilocybin is administered in an approved clinical setting, and a more limited outpatient option allowing authorized microdosing outside of an inpatient environment, subject to department rules on dosage, monitoring, and follow-up. Synthetic psilocybin would be excluded, with the program limited to naturally derived compounds.

The Department of Health would be tasked with licensing both clinicians and producers, establishing training requirements, setting product standards, overseeing security and recordkeeping, and maintaining a confidential registry to track participation and prevent diversion. Psilocybin products could only be dispensed directly by approved clinicians, with third-party pharmacies explicitly barred from distribution.

The bill also includes legal protections shielding patients, clinicians, and producers from state arrest or prosecution when acting in compliance with the program, while maintaining penalties for impaired driving and activities outside the program’s scope.

If enacted, the legislation would take effect July 1, 2028, signaling an incremental but structured approach as Washington lawmakers revisit psychedelic policy ahead of the 2026 session.