Minnesota House Panel Passes Bill for Psilocybin Therapy Pilot

SAINT PAUL – A Minnesota House committee has cleared a measure to set up a limited program for psilocybin-assisted therapy, marking a significant step toward regulated access for adults facing certain mental health issues.

Yesterday, the Health Finance & Policy Committee approved HF 2906 on a bipartisan voice vote, sending it next to the Commerce Finance & Policy Committee for review. Moderate partisan bill (Democrat 6-1) would reschedule psilocybin from Schedule I to Schedule IV in state law, acknowledging its potential medical value and lower risk profile. It creates a three-year pilot allowing up to 1,000 patients aged 21-plus with qualifying conditions like depression, PTSD, anxiety, substance use disorders, or chronic pain to receive supervised treatment. Sessions would include preparation with a facilitator, drug administration and follow-up integration, all handled by 20 to 50 licensed professionals experienced in similar therapies.

The proposal draws from recommendations by the state’s Psychedelic Medicine Task Force, which highlighted research showing psilocybin’s promise for hard-to-treat conditions. Oversight would fall to the Department of Health for defining eligibility and standards, while the Office of Cannabis Management handles patient tracking, facilitator licensing, cultivation and product testing. Private homes or licensed facilities could host sessions, but the bill keeps recreational use illegal and includes penalties for unauthorized activities.

During the committee hearing, supporters including veterans and medical experts shared accounts of psilocybin’s benefits. U.S. Army veteran Stefan Egan testified that the substance helped him overcome trauma and addiction after a suicide attempt. No one spoke against the bill, as well as the companion Senate bill, SF 3971, and lawmakers noted alignment with federal shifts, including U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push for psychedelic options in veterans’ care.

If enacted, Minnesota would join states like Oregon and Colorado in exploring psychedelics for therapy, though on a smaller scale to test outcomes. Funding remains a key question, with costs yet to be fully tallied amid state budget talks. However, this advance reflects growing legislative comfort with plant-based treatments, backed by clinical data and cross-party appeal, potentially setting a model for measured reform if results prove positive.