Massachusetts Lawmakers Advance Newly-Combined Psychedelic Policy Framework, Bolstering Statewide Decriminalization Efforts

By Jack Gorsline

(Boston, Massachusetts) -  In a historic move on Friday, December 19, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health voted to advance two pivotal pieces of legislation regarding psilocybin, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to psychedelic medicine.

Specifically, lawmakers voted to advance H.2532 – a bill establishing a framework for psilocybin therapy, alongside a new draft of H.2506 – a measure designed to decriminalize the use of psilocybin specifically for veterans, law enforcement officers, and qualifying patients. The vote represents the first time a committee in the Massachusetts Legislature has approved psilocybin decriminalization, setting a new precedent for drug policy reform in the Commonwealth.

The committee’s decision was bipartisan and nearly unanimous. According to committee staff, 10 of the 11 members voted in favor of the proposal, with only a single lawmaker abstaining. Notably, the "yes" votes included Air Force veterans Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D) and Rep. Justin Thurber (R), underscoring the legislation’s strong appeal among those familiar with the mental health challenges facing service members.

A Patient-First Approach

The advancement of these bills comes in the wake of the scandal-plagued, ultimately-failed 2024 psychedelics ballot question, which sought to legalize widespread recreational use and distribution. While that measure was rejected by voters – the legislation advanced Friday takes a markedly different, "patient-focused" approach.

H.2506 was primarily authored by Graham Moore of the advocacy group Mass Healing, in collaboration with Rep. Steven Owens. The bill was drafted in consultation with a psychiatrist from the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society (MPS) and two pharmacists, ensuring the language prioritized medical safety and targeted relief for specific vulnerable populations rather than broad open access.

“Whatever the merits of taking psilocybin ‘for fun,’ it is a distinct issue from whether individuals with cancer or severe depression should be dragged through the courts for seeking relief,” said Moore, reflecting on the legislative victory. “The ballot question last year was a politically irresponsible experiment to decriminalize recreational use on the backs of patients like me, who campaigned for it for lack of a better alternative. But unlike the out-of-state architects of the failed ballot question, patients in Massachusetts cannot afford to stop fighting.”

Historic Momentum for Mental Health

The Joint Committee on Public Health’s vote is the latest in a series of historic developments for psychedelic policy in Massachusetts this year.

In January, Mass Healing’s leadership worked with state lawmakers to file a record number of psychedelic proposals. To date, four of the 11 bills filed have been reported favorably out of committee, with none tabled – a high success rate for such a novel policy area.

In July, the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society formally endorsed three psilocybin decriminalization bills. This endorsement marked the first time any branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) nationwide has formally backed such legislation, signaling a shift in the medical community’s willingness to explore psychedelic adjunctive therapies.

Additionally, in August, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery approved a psychedelic therapy bill, further paving the way for the Public Health Committee’s recent action.

Voices from the Frontlines

The push for H.2506 has been heavily driven by those on the front lines of trauma: veterans and first responders. Mass Healing volunteers spent months organizing support, culminating in an outpouring of written testimony from residents, psychiatrists, and public safety officials.

Lt. Sarko Gergerian, a police lieutenant and member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), emphasized the practical benefits of the legislation for public safety and mental health.

“I am so grateful to the Joint Committee on Public Health for their wisdom and compassion in advancing a psilocybin therapy pilot bill in combination with long overdue protections for vulnerable patients,” Gergerian said. “Law enforcement officers, first responders, and veterans carry real trauma, and too many run out of options. This evidence-based proposal honors those who serve, advances science, and frees up police resources for where they are needed most.”

Gergerian, who holds master’s degrees in counseling and criminal justice, also thanked Committee Chair Marjorie Decker for her leadership. “With Chair Decker's recommendation, the public health committee has sent a resounding message: healing should not be a crime,” he added.

Broad Coalition of Support

A diverse coalition spanning veterans’ rights, healthcare, and criminal justice reform has rallied behind the legislation, lending significant political weight to the proposal. Among the most notable endorsements is from Disabled American Veterans (DAV), which represents more than 60,000 disabled veterans across the Commonwealth. Their support is bolstered by advocacy groups focused on the suicide epidemic among service members, including the Massachusetts-based Minus 22 Foundation and the No Fallen Heroes Foundation, whose founder – US Military veteran Matthew “Whiz” Buckley recently highlighted the potential of psychedelic therapies during an appearances at Harvard University’s Petrie-Flom Center.

Beyond the veteran community, the bill has secured critical backing from law enforcement and patient advocacy groups, challenging traditional narratives around drug policy. The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), a national nonprofit of police, prosecutors, and judges, has formally endorsed the measure, emphasizing the need to support officers and first responders carrying trauma. Additionally, Clusterbusters, a national organization representing patients with cluster headaches, has thrown its support behind the bill, citing the responsiveness of their notoriously treatment-resistant condition to psilocybin in early clinical reports.

National Significance

Friday’s vote distinguishes Massachusetts as a national leader in targeted drug policy reform. While other states like Oregon and Colorado have moved toward broader legalization or regulated access models, the Massachusetts legislature is the first to have a committee approve a strictly patient-focused decriminalization bill. A similar attempt in the Michigan legislature failed to advance out of committee earlier this session.

Observers suggest that the Massachusetts model – pairing clinical research frameworks (H.2532) with immediate decriminalization for those with medical needs (H.2506) – could serve as a blueprint for other states where voters or lawmakers are wary of full recreational legalization but sympathetic to the mental health crisis.

Looking Ahead

The bills now move to the next stage of the legislative process, where they must pass through further committees and eventually floor votes in both the House and Senate.

Advocates remain optimistic. Mass Healing’s Moore and Morey have expressed hope that the continued support of legislative thought leaders – including Rep. Marjorie Decker, Rep. Jim O'Day, Sen. Cindy Friedman, Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, and Rep. Steven Owens – will steer the bills to final passage.

For the veterans and patients waiting for legal clarity, the committee’s vote is more than a procedural step; it is a validation of their struggle. By stripping away the threat of prosecution for those seeking healing, Massachusetts lawmakers are acknowledging that for many, psilocybin is not a party drug, but a lifeline.

This article was produced by Psychedelic State(s) of America - a nonprofit-sponsored news organization dedicated to rigorous independent psychedelic journalism. Subscribe to PSA online and Follow PSA on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook. Learn more about PSA and donate to the PSA Media Fund here.