Laura Smith
Oregon has become the first state in the US to legalise the use of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms. While the federal government still considers psilocybin a Schedule I substance, Oregon has implemented a regulatory framework for its use, with strict rules for advertising and consumption. Adults over the age of 21 can now legally access psilocybin services in Oregon, consuming the drug under the supervision of a state-certified facilitator. However, the legalisation of psilocybin mushrooms in Oregon has also led to an expansion of the illegal market, with facilitators operating outside of the state-run system.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status of psilocybin in Oregon | Legal for adults 21 and older under supervision at a licensed service center |
| Regulatory framework | Measure 109, also known as the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, establishes a regulatory framework for receiving psilocybin |
| License types | Manufacturers, laboratories, facilitators, and service centers |
| Requirements for advertisements | Must prove that advertisements aren't reaching children or consumers under 21 |
| Cost | Ranges from $800 to $2,500 for a trip and two therapeutic sessions |
| Forms of consumption | Dried, whole mushrooms, tea, edible food products, capsules, and extracts |
| Maximum allowed dosage | 50 milligrams of psilocybin, or about 5 grams of dried mushrooms |
| Underground market | Present and expanding due to high costs and limited accessibility of legal options |
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What You'll Learn
Oregon's psilocybin industry seeks customers
Oregon's psilocybin industry, the first regulated psilocybin mushroom market in the world, is struggling to attract customers a year after its launch. The industry is facing challenges due to strict regulations on online advertisements and limited opportunities for facilitators to work in service centers. However, advocates of psilocybin therapy believe that raising awareness about its benefits is crucial to attracting more customers.
In 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 109, which directed the Oregon Health Authority to create a legal system for offering psilocybin under the supervision of state-licensed facilitators. While the drug is now technically legal, the state has not legalized the retail sale of magic mushrooms, and customers can only access psilocybin through licensed service centers. The high price range of $800 to $2,500 for a trip and therapeutic sessions might also be a factor in the industry's struggle to attract customers.
Marketing and competition are other challenges faced by the industry. Tori Armbrust, owner of Satori Farms PDX, a supplier of psilocybin mushrooms to half of the state's service centers, anticipates increased competition from out-of-state businesses entering the Oregon market next year. Courtney Campbell, founder of the center Chariot in Northwest Portland, has experienced a steady stream of customers but has yet to achieve significant profitability.
To navigate these challenges, some facilitators, like Heidi Venture, founder of Vital Reset, rely on word-of-mouth and community engagement to attract customers. However, strict rules on online advertisements for psilocybin services and the perceived suppression of related content by social media companies create additional obstacles. As a result, the industry continues to seek effective strategies to reach potential customers and sustain its growth.
Despite the challenges, Oregon's psilocybin industry has shown promising results. In 2025, the focus will be on fine-tuning the program and studying its impacts and outcomes. Researchers are studying the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. The Food and Drug Administration has designated psilocybin as a breakthrough therapy for depression. Military veterans are also accessing psilocybin therapy for the first time, with the Healing Advocacy Fund partnering with the Heroic Hearts Project to connect veterans to psychedelic therapy programs.
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Strict rules on online advertisements for psilocybin services
Oregon has strict rules regarding online advertisements for psilocybin services. While the state has legalised the use of psilocybin mushrooms for adults, with supervision, the industry is facing challenges in promoting their services due to advertising restrictions.
The state has not legalised the retail sale of magic mushrooms, and the Oregon Psilocybin Services Section is responsible for reviewing license applications from manufacturers, laboratories, service centres, and facilitators. This means that psilocybin businesses must comply with specific regulations when advertising their products and services. According to the Healing Advocacy Fund, one of the critical challenges is ensuring that their advertisements do not reach a significant number of individuals under the age of 21. This restriction limits their ability to utilise certain mediums that may have a substantial youth audience, such as social media platforms.
Psilocybin licensees in Oregon must adhere to content and medium restrictions in their advertisements. They are prohibited from making unsupported health claims or asserting that their products are safe due to government regulation or laboratory testing. Per Section 1, Rule 333-333-6110, they cannot use television, radio, billboards, print media, or internet advertising if 30% or more of the audience is under 21. This presents a challenge for businesses trying to reach potential customers, as they must carefully navigate these restrictions while promoting their brands.
To comply with the regulations, businesses offering psilocybin services must consider the proposed advertising restrictions when developing their brand assets, such as logos, brand names, and websites. They should also be cautious when creating promotion plans to avoid violating the rules. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) plays a role in enforcing these regulations by notifying licensees if their advertisements violate the rules and providing a reasonable period for corrective action.
The strict rules on online advertisements for psilocybin services in Oregon have led some facilitators to operate outside the legal framework. More experienced facilitators may choose to work underground, illegally supervising psilocybin trips at homes and rental properties. However, licensed centres like Vital Reset in Oregon offer state-sanctioned psilocybin experiences, with prices ranging from $800 to $2,500 for a trip and therapeutic sessions.
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Oregon's foray into legal psilocybin therapy
Oregon has become the first state in the US to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use. In 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 109, which directed the Oregon Health Authority to create a regulatory framework for the legal and supervised use of psilocybin. This move has sparked interest from activists and policymakers in other states, including Colorado, which has since followed suit with a more relaxed system.
The regulatory framework for Oregon's psilocybin industry involves various licensed entities, including manufacturers, laboratories, service centers, and facilitators. Psilocybin mushrooms are grown and processed by licensed manufacturers and then transferred to licensed service centers or clinics. Individuals aged 21 and older can then participate in supervised sessions at these centers, where they consume pre-measured doses of psilocybin under the guidance of trained and licensed facilitators. The cost of a trip and therapeutic sessions with a facilitator typically ranges from $800 to $2,500, although some facilitators offer discounts.
While Oregon's foray into legal psilocybin therapy has been groundbreaking, it has also faced challenges. The industry has struggled to attract customers, with advocates attributing this to a lack of awareness about the benefits of psychedelics. Additionally, strict rules on online advertising for psilocybin services and perceived suppression of related content by social media companies have made it difficult for service centers to reach potential customers. This has resulted in an increase in underground psilocybin activities, with facilitators operating outside the state-run system and leading sessions in homes, Airbnbs, and on psychedelic retreats abroad.
Despite these challenges, Oregon's experiment with legal psilocybin therapy has significant implications for the future of mental health treatment. Researchers are studying the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, particularly in combination with talk therapy, for conditions such as alcohol addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, and enhancing spiritual well-being. As Oregon continues to refine its regulatory framework and address implementation challenges, its approach to legal psilocybin therapy will likely influence other states and shape the future of mental health treatment options.
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Oregon Psilocybin Services Act establishes a regulatory framework
In Oregon, the use of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, is allowed for adults aged 21 and older. However, it can only be consumed under the supervision of a state-certified facilitator in a licensed service center. This regulatory framework for psilocybin services was established by the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, which came into effect in 2023 after Oregon voters approved Measure 109 in 2020.
The Act requires the state to issue four types of licenses: manufacturers, laboratories, facilitators, and service centers. Manufacturers are responsible for cultivating and processing psilocybin products, while laboratories test these products to ensure their safety. Facilitators provide support and guidance to clients before, during, and after their psilocybin sessions, and service centers are the licensed locations where clients can consume psilocybin in a controlled and supported environment.
The regulatory framework aims to provide a clinical and therapeutic approach to psilocybin use, with strict rules governing where and when someone can legally buy and consume it. The process typically involves clients meeting with a trained facilitator at a service center, where they will undergo a supervised session with a pre-measured dose of psilocybin. The facilitator supports the client through preparation, administration, and integration sessions, creating a continuum of care that is foundational to the healing and wellness process.
While Oregon has led the way in legalizing psilocybin services, it has faced challenges in implementing the regulatory framework. There is a growing underground market for psilocybin, with facilitators operating outside the state-run system, leading sessions in homes, Airbnbs, and on psychedelic retreats abroad. Additionally, marketing and advertising psilocybin services are restricted to ensure that the content is not accessible to minors, making it difficult for legal service centers to attract customers. Despite these challenges, Oregon's regulated psilocybin industry is a groundbreaking experiment that has the potential to offer new health and wellness options to its residents.
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Oregon's appetite for psilocybin is being fed outside the law
Oregon has become the first state in the US to legalize the use of psilocybin, also known as "magic" mushrooms, for adults. This came into effect on January 1, 2023, after Oregon voters approved Measure 109 in 2020. The Oregon Psilocybin Services Act establishes a regulatory framework for the use of psilocybin, which is a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms.
While the legalization of psilocybin in Oregon has opened up a new industry, it has also highlighted some challenges. There is a high demand for psilocybin services, with people traveling to Oregon from other states to take advantage of the legal status. However, there is also a lack of awareness about the benefits of psilocybin, which has resulted in a shortage of customers for some service centers. The high cost of the industry, with prices ranging from \$800 to \$2,500 for a trip, has also been a factor in the lack of customers.
The legalization of psilocybin in Oregon has also had an impact on law enforcement. While there are now licensed businesses offering psilocybin services, the black market for recreational users continues to exist. Mushroom confiscations and busts have increased in Oregon, with law enforcement recording a significant rise in psilocybin mushroom seizures in recent years. This indicates that despite the legalization of psilocybin for therapeutic use, there is still a demand for the drug outside of the regulated market.
The regulated psilocybin industry in Oregon offers a unique opportunity for people to legally and safely use psilocybin for therapeutic purposes. However, the high costs, lack of awareness, and continued existence of the black market present challenges that need to be addressed. As the first state to legalize psilocybin, Oregon is facing both the benefits and drawbacks of this groundbreaking decision. It remains to be seen whether other states will follow Oregon's lead and how the industry will evolve to meet the demands of customers and address the issues of illegal distribution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, psilocybin mushrooms are not legal for recreational use in Oregon. Psilocybin is still a Schedule I substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. However, Oregon has legalized the supervised use of psilocybin for adults aged 21 and older in licensed centers.
First, the prospective client meets with a trained and licensed facilitator at a service center. The client then takes a pre-measured dose of psilocybin, typically ranging from 5-8 grams of dried mushrooms. The facilitator supports the client through preparation, administration, and integration sessions.
Research suggests that psilocybin may help address depression, anxiety, trauma, and addiction. Studies have also found that it may increase spiritual well-being and promote neural connections in the brain.
Yes, it is important to approach psilocybin use with caution. High doses of psilocybin, typically above 5 grams, can be overwhelming for individuals who are not prepared for the intense sensory experience. It is recommended to work with a trained facilitator and undergo a series of meditations to prepare for the experience.
