New Mexico Speeds Up Psilocybin Therapy Access

SANTA FE – State health leaders in New Mexico outlined plans this week to open a regulated psilocybin therapy program by the close of 2026, advancing the timeline a full year from the original statutory target. The move, shared during the inaugural session of the Medical Psilocybin Advisory Board, reflects strong public demand and positions the state as an early adopter in the growing field of guided psychedelic treatments.

Dominick Zurlo, who directs the Department of Health’s Center for Medical Cannabis and Psilocybin, told board members that officials aim to treat the first patients by December 31, 2026. “There has been such large interest in this and a push for us to try to be able to help people with psilocybin treatments earlier,” Zurlo said, according to meeting records. The program’s framework stems from Senate Bill 219, signed into law in April, which calls for licensed facilitators to administer psilocybin in controlled settings for conditions like depression, anxiety, and end-of-life distress.

State Senator Jeff Steinborn, a lead sponsor of the measure, kicked off the meeting by framing the effort as a milestone. “This is really a historic day, not just for the state, but really even for the whole country and the whole world,” Steinborn remarked. He added that the initiative marks “a new renaissance of psychedelic medicine,” urging the board to build on models from Oregon and Colorado while tailoring rules to New Mexico’s needs.

The board, comprising medical professionals, veterans, tribal representatives, and industry experts, now faces the task of drafting regulations on licensing, training, and safety protocols. Early discussions highlighted the need to integrate traditional indigenous knowledge, given psilocybin’s cultural roots, alongside rigorous clinical standards. Officials anticipate a phased rollout, starting with limited sites before expanding statewide.

New Mexico’s swift action underscores a pragmatic bet on evidence-based innovation. If executed with the board’s proposed rigor, it may set a template for other states weighing decriminalization, balancing therapeutic promise against operational realities in a market projected to reach $11.3 billion nationally by 2035. Watch for the next board meeting, expected in early 2026, when concrete proposals could solidify this progress.