On April 26, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved an omnibus bill for health financing with a vote of 69 to 58. The bill SF-29995 contains provisions for creating a Psychedelic Drug Task Force to prepare for the legalization. This task force will “be established to advise on legal, policy, and medical issues related to the legalization of psychoactive medicine in Minnesota.”
SF-2995, which was first introduced to the Senate in march and passed in a third read on April 19, has been amended in the House in recent weeks.
The task force’s duties include reviewing “existing scientific studies on the therapeutic effectiveness of psychedelic medicines in the treatment for mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic disorder. It also includes any other medical and mental conditions that a psychedelic medication may be an effective treatment.”
The necessary legislative changes would include “legalization” of psychedelic medicines, “state and locally regulated psychedelic drugs,” as well as educating the general public about these recommendations.
Task force members would be a diverse panel of experts including the state’s attorney general and governor, military veterans, and other people with mental illnesses.
If the bill passes, the taskforce would have to present two reports to the specific people who supervise health and human service. These reports will include both the findings of the task force and a plan to implement legalization. First, the first report is due on Feb. 1, 2020. The second must be received by Jan. 1, 2019.
Bill, introduced as a stand-alone bill in February of this year, included the requirement that the task force investigate a variety substances. “Psychedelic medicine may include but is not limited to the use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), psilocybin, mescaline, LSD, bufotenine, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, 2C-B, ibogaine, salvinorin A, and ketamine,” the older text stated.
For fiscal years 2024, the task force would receive 338 000 dollars and for 2025 171 000 dollars.
In an interview with KIMT3 earlier this month, Minnesota Rep. Andy Smith explained to the station the importance of the Task Force Bill. The majority of these drugs were marketed around the globe in the 80s, and there are many antiquated laws which restrict research as well as the use of the drugs for treatment. The taskforce’s goal is to find out how we can reduce these regulations in a responsible and ethical manner, Smith explained. These drugs are a problem. . . They can help those who suffer from depression at much lower cost. Antidepressants can be expensive. . . “These drugs are usually much more affordable.”
The Minnesota House just passed a marijuana legalization bill in April. Rep. Zack Stephenson stated that “it’s about time.” The freedom to decide responsibly about cannabis is a right that Minnesotans deserve.
House File 100, if passed, would permit adults older than 21 years to have up to 1.5 pounds of cannabis flowers at home. Concentrates will be limited to 8 grams and edibles can only contain 800mg THC. Residents will also only be allowed to have up to eight plants in their home, with a maximum four flowering ones.
Attorney Krissy Aterholt of Vicente Sederberg says that there are high expectations for cannabis’ future in Minnesota. Atterholt, an attorney with Vicente Sederberg told High Times that Minnesota is “one step closer” to providing legalized cannabis for adult use. The state has made progress in becoming the Midwest’s next big cannabis market. Minnesota is the only state that shares a border. This leaves a huge market for consumers and businesses.
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