PSA's Psychedelic State(s) of The Union: December 9, 2025

New Mexico to Accelerate Its Launch of Therapeutic Psilocybin Access

Community Leaders and Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative (PSFC) Members React

By Jack Gorsline

New Mexico health officials have announced plans to launch the state’s medical psilocybin therapy program by the end of December 2026—a full year ahead of the legislative deadline. This expedited timeline was revealed on December 5, during the public first meeting of the state’s Medical Psilocybin Advisory Board.

The board was established by the passage of Senate Bill 219 earlier in 2025—legislation that made New Mexico the third state to authorize therapeutic psilocybin, after Oregon and Colorado. 

New Mexico’s program is designed to provide treatment for specific qualifying conditions, including major treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders and end-of-life care. It had originally been mandated to be operational by the end of 2027.

State Senator Jeff Steinborn (D), a co-sponsor of the bill, opened the inaugural Board meeting by noting that, “this is really a historic day, not just for the state, but really even for the whole country and the whole world.” He described the initiative as part of a "new renaissance of psychedelic medicine" and encouraged the board to innovate beyond what other states have done. 

“By definition, we're pioneers and… we're gonna learn a lot,” Steinborn said, “but I also wanna challenge you to not be afraid to try new things, to innovate, to make things better than maybe they've been in other states …  maybe they've gone down a road that hasn't been as fruitful that we need to deviate from.”

According to Dr. Dominick Zurlo, director of the Center for Medical Cannabis and Psilocybin, New Mexico’s Department of Health has already appointed a program manager in anticipation of launching the program one year ahead of schedule, and is actively recruiting for an environmental scientist and a compliance officer.

“Because there has been such large interest in this and a push for us to try to be able to help people with psilocybin treatments earlier, we have set a goal now to have the program at least to be able to see the initial patients by the end of December of 2026,” said Zurlo in his opening remarks at the meeting. Notably, Zurlo also served on the Maryland Psychedelic Task Force, which recently recommended a staggered approach to legalization of psychedelics.

The seven members of the newly-minted Advisory Board—selected by the state after a lengthy application and review process — are tasked with creating the regulatory guardrails to enable access to psilocybin treatments while safeguarding patients.

While public interest in early access has driven the decision to speed up the timeline, advocates are urging caution. During the meeting, Denali Wilson—New Mexico Director of Strategic Support for the Healing Advocacy Fund—emphasized the importance of balancing urgency with safety, affordability and a clear code of ethics. 

“New Mexico is poised to lead the country in the integration of psychedelic therapy and our existing health care system,” Wilson said, “and while it is important for the program to move forward with urgency, achieving the right balance of safety, affordability, and equity will require careful attention and thoughtfulness.” 

“Let’s be sure that any acceleration of the regulatory timeline doesn’t unintentionally compromise patient safety, undermine long-term sustainability, or limit meaningful public engagement,” she added.

The Healing Advocacy Fund has played a significant role in development, implementation and oversight of regulated psilocybin-assisted therapy programs in Oregon and Colorado, -—where affordability remains a significant barrier to access. Given New Mexico’s glaring economic disparities, Wilson highlighted that her organization “want[s] to see affordability and equity prioritized.””

“We want to urge full funding of the program’s equity fund and are ready to support the Department’s upcoming budget request to move in this direction” she continued, and given the expedited roll-out timeline, “the equity fund must also be prioritized in 2026 so that patients can access the services we work together to build.”

Wilson also hinted at the possibility of implementing unique policy solutions to combat the affordability issues that have hampered access in Oregon and Colorado. These might include “ allowing group-care models, adopting a broad definition of ‘clinician’ within the rules, authorizing diverse care settings and care teams, including peer support workers and traditional healers, and ultimately, working to ensure that the cost of this care be covered by health insurance.”

Other community leaders in New Mexico cautiously welcomed the plan for an accelerated regulatory rollout. 

Deborah Thorne, an integrative mental health specialist and founder of Sol Tryp - a Las Cruces-based non profit dedicated to promoting psychedelic healing, methods, teachings, research, and reciprocity - played an instrumental role in educating state lawmakers on the merits of psilocybin-assisted therapy in the run-up to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signing the NM Medical Psilocybin Act into law back in April. 

From Thorne’s vantage point, the prospect of a faster roll-out sounds promising, but she told Filter that, “it will require a significant amount of dedication and hours by the advisory board to establish rules and regulations to jump cleanly through the logistical hoops ahead.” 

“Furthermore, the process of training facilitators, prescribers, and establishing vetted facilities in every New Mexican municipality is paramount,” Thorne elaborated. “We need to have well established training programs on board providing comprehensive didactics and experiential components of a qualified certification program.” 

“Fingers crossed that this will happen in time,” she said. “We are staying hopeful.”

Adele Getty—co-founder of the Limina Foundation, a prominent Santa Fe-based psychedelic education nonprofit, and member of the Psychedelic Science Funders Collaborative—told Filter that following an influx in philanthropic support in the wake of SB219’s passage, her organization, “now [has] $100,000 that we will use for education of the public and supporting worthy efforts and needs as they arise in New Mexico.”

“We are very grateful for the support we received” Getty added, “and looking forward to how we can help bring this healing therapy to those in need.” 

The Board’s composition reflects goals of equitable access and cultural sensitivity, plus other areas of expertise. Among its members, DezBaa (also known as Sharon Henderson), is an Indigenous advocate, geologist and actor, whose stated aim is to ensure the regulatory framework honors traditional healing methodologies. Dan Jennings, president and founder of the nonprofit HagermanForward, brings long experience with youth homelessness and justice-involved populations in rural New Mexico.

Dr. Alanna Dancis, who holds certifications in MDMA and ketamine-assisted therapies, is acting medical director of the New Mexico Medicaid program, bringing a focus on health systems and benefit implementation. Other members include Brenda S. Burgard, president of Decriminalization for Psychedelics of New Mexico, and family and addiction medicine practitioner Dr. Larry Leeman. Chris Peskuski is a Marine Corps combat veteran and ambassador for the veterans’ psychedelic advocacy organization Heroic Hearts Project.

The group is led by newly-appointed and self-nominated Advisory Board Chair Ian Dunn, a nursing student and policy advocate focused on balancing innovation with public trust. 

The New Mexico Psilocybin Advisory Board’s next public meeting is set for December 12.

This article was originally published by Filter, an online magazine covering drug use, drug policy and human rights through a harm reduction lens. Follow Filter on Bluesky, X or Facebook, and sign up for its newsletter.

Join PSA Founder Jack Gorsline and Fireside Project Executive Director Joshua White LIVE on Thursday, December 11 for a special edition of the Psychedelic State(s) of America Advocacy Spotlight Initiative - an interview with “Lucy” the world’s first-ever “AI Psychedelic Patient”

Streaming LIVE on on Youtube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Substack, and more via Psychedelic State(s) of America, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Magazine!

Thursday, December 11 at 3:30 PM EST / 12:30 PM PST

Ready to reconnect with your psychedelic community?

Join us on December 18 for Writing the Psychedelic Future, a special edition of the Psychedelic Professionals Networking Club - powered by Psychedelic State(s) of America and the Psychedelic Writers Guild

Expect connection, inspiration, and high-vibe networking as we bring together leading voices in psychedelic writing with the professionals shaping our field.

Featuring Jack Gorsline (Founder of The PWG and PSA), Mary Carreon (Editor in Chief, DoubleBlind Magazine), and Noah Daly (PWG/PSA Chief of Operations), in an evening guided by Carly Dutch-Greene (Studiodelic) focused on connection and the stories shaping today’s psychedelic landscape.

Format: Fireside Chat → Q&A → Networking Rooms (PPNC Style)

Topics: We will explore how psychedelic stories are created and shared, key media trends, responsible use of AI, and the simple path from idea to publication.

Not a writer? No problem! This gathering is for anyone curious about media, messaging, and the narratives driving the psychedelic movement. You will still get the ease and meaningful connection that define every PPNC event.

Thursday, December 18 @ 4pm PST / 7pm EST

Until next time,

The Psychedelic State(s) of America Team