The Minnesota Psychedelic Medicine Task Force (PMTF) is making significant progress in its mission to recommend regulations for psychedelic substances. This includes psilocybin, MDMA (ecstasy), and LSD. The group has already made crucial decisions, including the establishment of a state-regulated clinical psilocybin therapy program and the allocation of funds to research the therapeutic potential of these substances. However, broader reforms, such as the decriminalization of personal possession, are still being debated.
The PMTF, established by legislation signed by Governor Tim Walz in 2023, is tasked with advising lawmakers on the legal, medical, and policy framework for psychedelic medicine. This workgroup is expected to submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2025, but ongoing discussions within the task force reflect broader societal tensions surrounding the decriminalization of psychedelics.
At its September 9th meeting, the task force voted 16-3 in favor of state-regulated clinical access to psilocybin-containing mushrooms. They also agreed to allocate research funds to study psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD, focusing on their potential therapeutic benefits. However, other key recommendations, like the decriminalization of personal-use amounts of psychedelics and the regulation of synthetic psychedelics like LSD and MDMA, remain under discussion. Scott Smith, a representative from the Minnesota Department of Public Health, declined to comment on the status of these unresolved issues, stating, “We wouldn’t want to pre-empt the minutes approval and publication process.”
One notable aspect of the task force dynamics is the divide between state agency representatives and lawmakers. State agencies often express more hesitation towards broader reforms. Kurtis Hanna, a drug reform advocate, explained that this divide reveals the different positions of various state agencies on psychedelics. “They didn’t necessarily stand in the way of all proposals, and it sort of forced them to be on the record about what they’re not adamantly and vehemently opposed to,” Hanna said. Despite some resistance, lawmakers on the panel, including Rep. Andy Smith (DFL), who sponsored the bill creating the task force, as well as Republican members, appear more inclined towards reform. This is considered a positive sign by advocates pushing for broader decriminalization measures.
The task force will continue its discussions in the coming months, with the next meeting scheduled for October. While the final recommendations are due by January, the group has stated it will remain active until mid-2025, allowing ample time for further exploration of Minnesota’s future in psychedelic regulation.
