Rhode Island Proposes Psilocybin Legalization and State-Regulated Therapy Program Pending Federal Rescheduling

LOS ANGELES- In January 2025, Rhode Island lawmakers introduced House Bill 5186, aiming to legalize psilocybin possession and cultivation for personal use. The bill proposes that individuals be allowed to cultivate psilocybin within their residences for personal use. Additionally, contingent upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rescheduling psilocybin and expanding its access program, the Rhode Island Department of Health would be mandated to establish rules and regulations for its cultivation, distribution, and medical prescription.

This legislative effort reflects a growing trend in the United States to reevaluate the legal status of certain psychedelics, particularly in the context of their potential therapeutic benefits. The bill’s progression will depend on federal actions regarding psilocybin’s classification and approved medical use.