New Hampshire House Advances Bill to Regulate Medical Psilocybin Use

CONCORD – The New Hampshire House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bipartisan measure that would establish a state program allowing supervised therapeutic access to psilocybin for qualifying medical conditions.

House Bill 1809, sponsored by Rep. Buzz Scherr (D), cleared the chamber on a voice vote through its consent calendar. The legislation previously received unanimous support from the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee in a 18-0 vote late last month.

The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop rules for a program providing psilocybin in controlled, medically supervised settings. It creates an advisory board to review clinical data, monitor patient results, and deliver annual reports to lawmakers.
Synthetic versions of psilocybin are excluded.

In the same committee process, lawmakers rejected a companion proposal, HB 1796, on an 11-7 vote. That bill offered more detailed provisions on licensing, product testing, provider training, and administrative staffing. The approved version takes a more streamlined approach, delegating most specifics to DHHS rulemaking.

The measure now heads to the House Finance Committee for review before any potential final House vote and Senate consideration. Only Oregon and Colorado currently operate statewide programs for supervised psilocybin services, though several other states have introduced similar proposals in recent sessions.

The NH House’s action on HB 1809 signals continued legislative interest in structured, evidence-based approaches to psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health challenges like depression and PTSD. Whether the bill advances further will depend on fiscal assessments in Finance, Senate priorities, and the regulatory framework ultimately crafted by DHHS if it becomes law.

Image: New Hampshire State’s emblem courtesy of Anderson Design Group