The Utah Senate and House unanimously approved a bill that would establish a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatment, sending it to the governor.

A bill introduced by Senate Majority Whip Kirk Cullimore (R) and House Speaker Pro Tempore James Dunnigan (R), earlier this month, Senate Bill 266, would create a pilot program to explore psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatments in hospitals in Utah.

The bill was sent to the desk of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) this week where it awaits his signature. Since hospitals and universities generally default to federal regulations, it’s unclear how the bill would pan out as psilocybin and MDMA remain schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

“The bill is proposing, really, an alternate pathway, ” Rep. Raymond Ward (R) said before the House vote this month. “That’s why I say it’s a philosophical question. Do you think that these medicines really only should always just go through this one pathway, the FDA first and then be allowed to be used? Or do you think there should be any other alternate pathway whereby a patient might be given these medications in a controlled setting from some of our best physicians, but where we really do not yet have all of the data that we normally would have before we gave them to patients?”

Per the bill, psilocybin and MDMA would be administered by a privately owned, non-profit health care system with at least 15 licensed hospitals, or as part of medical programs operated by higher level institutions of learning.

“A healthcare system may develop a behavioral health treatment program that includes a treatment” with psilocybin and MDMA that it “determines is supported by a broad collection of scientific and medical research,” the bill reads.

The bill would amend Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 303, and enact 58-37-3.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953. Utah voters approved medical cannabis in 2018, and the state is well on its way towards amending laws surrounding psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.

Any hospital that participates in the psychedelics therapy pilot program would need to submit a report to the Utah Legislature by July 1, 2026, detailing which drugs are being utilized, the outcomes of patients in treating their conditions, and any potential side effects.

If passed, the bill would take effect on May 1, 2024 and sunset after three years.

Two years ago, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed into law a bill that created a task force to study and make recommendations on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs and possible regulations for their lawful use.

Rep. Brady Brammer (R), who sponsored the previously enacted psychedelics task force legislation, House Bill 167, said psychedelics represent “one of the few areas of research where we see that there are curative possibilities for mental health, particularly related to PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.”

“This is another tool in our toolbox,” he said. “We’ve done the task force. They’ve come back with their reports. And now we have this clinical trial of sorts that allows for some of the patients to get it under significant observation with the appropriate guardrails.”

Mormons on Mushrooms? A Growing Interest in Psilocybin in Utah

Meanwhile, last November in Provo—a city with nearly 90% of residents who are Mormon, or Latter-Day Saints—a mushroom treatment center, called Singularism, opened its doors.

Singularism touted freedom of religion in order to use psilocybin mushrooms but immediately attracted the wrath of the City of Provo, whose officials appeared to state that the center wouldn’t last long.

A longshot bill that would legalize psilocybin mushrooms in Utah was introduced last February. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, (D-Salt Lake City) unveiled Senate Bill 200 on Feb. 9, a bill that would legalize psilocybin mushrooms for medical use in Utah.

Deseret News reports that SB 200 would set up a program that mirrors the program behind Utah’s medical cannabis market. Utah’s compromise bill, the Utah Medical Cannabis Act, which was passed in 2018 allows patients with a healthcare provider’s verification, to purchase medical cannabis.

The bill would allow Utahns ages 21 and older to receive a psilocybin-assisted treatment directly from a psilocybin therapy provider. Qualifying conditions would include depression or anxiety if the patient has tried at least one other treatment route, PTSD, and people who are receiving hospice care.

Currently in Utah, possession of psilocybin can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years or a $5,000 in fine. The state has come a long way in terms of cannabis and psychedelic reform, with a Mormon supermajority that has dominated its legislature for decades.

We’re seeing a psychedelic renaissance today, especially when it comes to the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and its potential applications in mental health treatments.

Many are well aware that this substance, along with other psychedelics, first saw modern popularity in the West back in the ‘60s and ‘70s. While magic mushrooms were utilized by a number of cultures throughout history, a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that their history may date back even further than we previously expected, to prehistoric times.

Researchers from the University of Utah and the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) decided to take a closer look at the history of psilocybin mushrooms and their evolution over time, finding that mushrooms producing the psychedelic compound have been around for roughly 65 million years, or just around when dinosaurs became extinct.

Uncovering the History of Psilocybin Mushroom Evolution

Researchers note that the evolutionary history of this genus is “substantially incomplete.” This study is the largest genomic diversity study for the Psilocybe genus, or mushrooms that produce psilocybin. The analysis included 52 Psilocybe specimens, with 39 species that had previously never been sequenced.

The analysis found two distinct gene orders with the cluster that produces psilocybin. These patterns corresponded to an ancient split in the genus around 57 million years ago, which researchers said points toward two independent acquisitions of psilocybin in its evolutionary history. 

It’s also the first study to show this strong evolutionary pattern through gene sequences resulting in psychoactive protein synthesis.

NHMU curator of mycology and senior author of the study Bryn Dentinger pointed toward the potential future of psilocybin medicine in reference to the discoveries, noting that there will be a need to develop these therapeutics to improve efficacy over time. He implies that these processes could be further streamlined as we learn more about how psilocybin has gradually evolved in nature.

“There’s a wealth of diversity of these compounds out there,” Dentinger said. “To understand where they are and how they’re made, we need to do this kind of molecular work to use biodiversity to our advantage.”

Paving a New Path for Psilocybin Research and Innovation

University of Utah postdoctoral researcher and fellow study author Alexander Bradshaw said that the specimens used in the study represent “hundreds of years of thousands of scientists’ collective efforts” to document genus diversity.

“That’s the beauty of it—no one has really sequenced type specimens at this scale, and now we get to produce molecular and genomic data to the gold standard of Psilocybe types for people to compare against,” Bradshaw said.

Twenty-three of the 52 specimens were “type specimens,” which helps to designate a species in which all other samples are measured. While 17 specimens displayed the original order, 35 exhibited the new pattern. 

“We’ve shown here that there’s been a lot of change in gene order over time, and that provides some new tools for biotechnology,” Dentinger said. “If you’re looking for a way to express the genes to produce psilocybin and related compounds, you no longer have to rely on only one set of gene sequences to do that. Now there’s tremendous diversity that scientists can look at for lots of different properties or efficiencies.”

Understanding the Evolutionary Introduction of Psilocybin

Part of the hope behind uncovering the full story of psilocybin mushrooms and their evolutionary history is uncovering what specific benefit psilocybin has for mushrooms. 

Some have theorized it may be a defense mechanism to deter predators, through their psychoactive effects or effects on digestion. Though, psilocybin mushrooms tend to be fairly uncommon in the wild, so many question the validity of this theory. Others have suggested that psilocybin is a defense against insects, though these ideas have yet to be proven.

The study authors are looking to dive further into this question as well, moving forward to test a theory called the Gastropod Hypothesis, which would coincide with this newly discovered timeline surrounding psilocybin mushrooms.

Following the asteroid event that eliminated the dinosaurs and threw Earth into an ice age, fungi and terrestrial gastropods were two of the primary thriving lifeforms. Terrestrial slugs specifically are predators of mushrooms, so the theory suggests that psilocybin evolved as a slug deterrent.

“It’s impossible to overstate the importance of collections for doing studies like this,” Bradshaw said. “We are standing on the shoulders of giants, who spent thousands of people-power hours to create these collections, so that I can write an email and request access to rare specimens, many of which have only ever been collected once, and may never be collected again.”

Two influential Utah state lawmakers have joined forces to advance legislation that would cut funding to cities that refuse to recognize medical marijuana as a legitimate medical therapy. 

Utah voters approved the medical use of cannabis in a 2018 ballot measure that passed with nearly 53% of the vote. Following the passage of the initiative, the state legislature approved a regulatory plan that essentially treats medical cannabis as a traditional prescription drug. Under the plan, cannabis is still considered a controlled substance but patients are allowed to use medical marijuana like they would any other prescribed medication.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, however, says that some local governments have refused to accept medical cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment and are discriminating against public employees who are registered medical marijuana patients. Escamilla says that some cities have questioned employees about their status as medical cannabis patients and disciplined those who say they have received a medical cannabis card.

“At the end of the day they are in violation of state law,” Escamilla told local media. “It’s very clear you don’t get to force people to tell you they’re using controlled substances as a prescription. This is a recommended, prescribed medication and they’re treating them differently. That’s what we’re trying to prevent.”

Escamilla is backing a bill that would make minor adjustments to the state’s medical marijuana program. To address employment discrimination by local governments, the legislation would also cut funding to cities that discriminate against medical marijuana card holders. The measure, Senate Bill 233 (SB 233), was advanced by the Senate with a voice vote on Tuesday after the measure’s third reading in the chamber.

Bill Has Bipartisan Support From Senate Leadership

The legislation is supported by Escamilla, the bill’s chief sponsor, and Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, a Republican, giving the measure substantial clout in the upper chamber of Utah’s state legislature. Medical marijuana advocates including the Utah Patients Coalition also support the bill. 

“Despite the clear legal framework supporting their rights, several public employees have still faced unwarranted discrimination and removal from positions for simply exercising their lawful right to access medical cannabis,” Desiree Hennessy, the group’s executive director, said in a statement. “SB 233 provides a long-awaited mechanism to encourage compliance with state law through the potential withholding of funding, helping to shield state workers from discrimination regarding their medication.”

Despite the bill’s bipartisan support in the state Senate, SB 233 is now facing public opposition. The Utah Eagle Forum, an influential socially conservative group, has come out against the bill, saying the measure would jeopardize public safety.

“This bill would penalize state agencies and political subdivisions that try to enforce safety regulations against a medical marijuana card holder,” Gayle Ruzicka, the president of the Eagle Forum, wrote in an email to supporters. “This may allow a cardholder who may be impaired to work in positions, such as a heavy machine operator, a motor vehicle driver, or a child care provider. We must have exceptions and a way to protect the public.”

The statement from the group led to objections to the legislation from some lawmakers, including Senator Todd Weiler and Senator Mike Kennedy, both Republicans. However, Escamilla noted that there are provisions that prohibit workers from being under the influence of medical cannabis while on the job. She also noted that Utah’s medical marijuana laws do not allow police officers to register as patients because of conflicts with firearms laws.

Acknowledging the objections to the bill, Escamilla said that she is willing to negotiate with fellow lawmakers to modify the bill, including defining a specific percentage of funding cities would lose if they discriminate against medical marijuana patients.

Before SB 233 can become law, it must receive final approval in the Senate before heading to the Utah House of Representatives. If passed by the House, the measure would also require the signature of Republican Governor Spencer Cox.

Researchers at the oldest college in Utah are opening a medical cannabis research center and seeking for a DEA-approved grow site in order to overcome some of the regulatory hurdles. 

On Nov. 21, the University of Utah announced the launch of the new center and its initiative. University of Utah Health, in partnership with the state of Utah, launched a new research initiative to push forward the scientific understanding of medical cannabis and help patients and providers make better informed health decisions.

In the years following the launch of the Utah Medical Cannabis Program, Utah State Legislation identified a great need for more medical cannabis research to catch up with the growing number of unproven medical claims. To do this, and fund the center, the Utah State Legislature approved House Bill 230, and it was signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on March 15.

High Times reported last March that the University of Utah confirmed that it’s starting the early planning phases to build a Center for Medical Cannabis Research. On July 1, the University of Utah established the Center for Medical Cannabis Research (CMCR) to create research opportunities to support the efficacious application of cannabis in our state.

Could the center help provide evidence to support medical claims in the future? “The Center for Medical Cannabis Research is focused on creating opportunities for researchers to have the necessary support to begin answering these types of questions,” Valerie Ahanonu, B.S., senior manager of CMCR, told High Times in an email.

“As cultural views on cannabis have shifted and states have opened access to patients seeing benefits with medical cannabis, research within the field has been a leading proponent to bolstering or dispelling these claims. From epilepsy to oncological supportive care, we have seen research bring to light aspects of safe cannabis use that address patients’ needs and identify risks surrounding cannabis use as well.”

Ahanonu continued, “The CMCR plans to be a hub for translational research that through pilot grants, funds collaborative studies and trials that not only focus on advancing our understanding of evidence based medical cannabis outcomes, but also focuses on addressing the standards and quality of medical cannabis products made available to patients. By creating a network of multidimensional researchers working collectively we hope to inspire a bench to bedside model that advances the overall understanding of the therapeutic benefits and risks of medical cannabis.”

The CMCR listed several core strategies to achieve this goal:

• Supporting research about medical cannabis within the University of Utah and statewide
• Improving patient, provider, and pharmacist education about cannabis risks and benefits
• Working to instate an DEA-approved grow site for research-grade medical cannabis

Local leaders are hopeful. “This is one of the premier research institutions in the nation,” said Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost, MBA, who represents District 22. Dailey-Provost sponsored the bill that funds the CMCR. “We couldn’t ask for a better place to keep the heart of a meaningful research program than the University of Utah.”

Dailey-Provost is a doctoral candidate in public health at University of Utah Health, and believes the university is well-equipped to handle this type of research, and she also recognizes the great need for more data. “We keep hearing from providers that they just don’t have enough information to comfortably recommend this for patients,” Dailey-Provost says. “What we ultimately need is reliable, evidence-based research information on the medication that we are already offering to patients in the state of Utah.”

Jerry Cochran, M.S.W., Ph.D., interim director for the CMCR, describes the spectrum of research the center will support as “bench to bedside.” Starting with pilot grants to help scientists begin projects on medical cannabis, the CMCR will promote research ranging from chemical characterization of the active components of cannabis through to late-stage clinical trials. 

The center will partner with the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah to create educational materials to inform the public about medical cannabis. The Genetic Science Learning Center will develop materials designed to help reach patients and providers with the knowledge to make informed decisions. 

The CMCR also plans to work with the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library to produce an accessible database of the most rigorous and up-to-date information in the field.

Hurdles of Medical Cannabis in the U.S.

The center acknowledges the roadblocks they face as medical cannabis research is hampered due to the federal status of cannabis. “One significant hurdle to cannabis research is the limited supply of research-grade medical cannabis, especially from sites that are approved by the DEA,” the university reported.  “The CMCR aims to eliminate this bottleneck by supporting the establishment of an DEA-approved cannabis grow site for research.”

Setting the stage for change in the way medical cannabis research is hampered at the federal level, on Dec. 2, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the “Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, H.R. 8454,” (the Cannabis Research Bill).

In Utah, medical cannabis patients began applying for ID cards on July 4, 2019, and medical cannabis cultivation began in summer of 2020. Regulators finally issued dispensary licenses in Jan. 2020, about one year and two months after the law passed. Medical cannabis sales began in October 2020, about two years after voters approved the law. 

But doctors in Utah are reluctant to give out recommendations for medical cannabis as they know it has been marketed as a cure-all and that there are many unproven medical claims. “In certain circles, medical cannabis is being pushed as a cure-all, but I think it’s going to help certain things and not others,” Cochran said in the news release. “Science needs to take the lead in this area so that we continue to help people.”

Following in the footsteps of Colorado and Oregon, Utah is the latest state to consider the benefits in therapy that psilocybin mushrooms can provide.

Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, (D-Salt Lake City) unveiled Senate Bill 200 on Feb. 9, a bill that would legalize psilocybin mushrooms for medical use in Utah.

Deseret News reports that SB 200 would set up a program that mirrors the program behind Utah’s medical cannabis market. Utah’s compromise bill, the Utah Medical Cannabis Act, which was passed in 2018 allows patients with a healthcare provider’s verification, to purchase medical cannabis.

The bill would allow Utahns ages 21 and older to receive a psilocybin-assisted treatment directly from a psilocybin therapy provider. Qualifying conditions would include depression or anxiety if the patient has tried at least one other treatment route, PTSD, and people who are receiving hospice care.

Utah’s Republican-controlled Legislature will likely whittle down some of the bill’s provisions. Escamilla, for instance, said she’s prepared to propose changes to narrow the bill to a pilot program capped at only 5,000 participants. Escamilla compared the proposal to medical cannabis in the state.

“Cannabis has given us a really good opportunity to understand that we can use other natural things … to help us. Now, we have to be careful, and I think we have really good safeguards,” Escamilla said.

“This is not a free-for-all,” she said. “This is not for everyone, but if it’s for someone that is desperate (for help) with their anxiety, depression and PTSD—that’s pushing many, unfortunately, to suicide, I want them to have access in a way that’s safe, that we can regulate.”

“Seeing all the promising research, I really wanted to understand it better for myself,” Alaina Chatterley, a clinical social worker told Deseret News. “And I’ve had some traumas in my own life that I wanted to better understand.”

“It’s almost like finding the antidote, in my mind, to depression, to anxiety, because the antidote is (discovering) that you are ultimately powerful and ultimately lovable and loved and worthy,” she said. “And if you can find that antidote to depression and anxiety … you’ve gotten to the root cause, and everything else gets easier.”

Libertas Institute, a Utah-based libertarian think-tank, and the Utah Patients Coalition are backing the bill. “Many Utahns currently use psilocybin illegally and are seeing profound improvement in their mental health,” said Desiree Hennessy, executive director of the Utah Patients Coalition. “This medicine should be legalized so these patients don’t jeopardize their legal rights in pursuit of health.”

The bill would make significant changes to the state’s laws. ABC 4 news reports that currently in Utah, possession of psilocybin can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years or a $5,000 in fine.

In 2022, the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 167, which called for the creation of a mental illness psychotherapy drug task force to review psilocybin mushroom research. The report issued by the task force found that psilocybin is safe and effective.

While the task force found psilocybin to be effective, the executive summary of the task force’s report reads that the “most rigorous and cost-effect approach to ensuring that the people of Utah have safe access to the most effective programs in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy would be to wait for the fast-track FDA rulings for psilocybin.”

Last month, non-profit Utah Mushroom Therapy launched a petition to encourage Utah legislators to pass a bipartisan bill that allows the legal use of psilocybin for clinical and academic purposes.

Escamilla hopes the proposal could be considered in a Utah Senate committee within about a week.