Washington State Senators Advance Bill to Legalize Psilocybin Therapy
Washington State took a significant step toward legalizing psilocybin therapy this week. On Tuesday, the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee approved SB 5921, a bill that would create a regulated framework for therapeutic psilocybin use. The measure, introduced by Sen. Jesse Salomon (D), passed by voice vote and now heads to the Ways and Means Committee.
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| Key Takeaway | Details |
|---|---|
| Bill Number | SB 5921 |
| Sponsor | Sen. Jesse Salomon (D) |
| Current Status | Approved by Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee; heading to Ways and Means |
| Eligible Patients | Adults 18 and older with a qualifying condition determined by a clinician |
| Oversight Body | Washington Department of Health |
| Effective Date | July 1, 2028 |
| Legal Protections | Patients, clinicians and producers shielded from arrest and prosecution when operating within the program |
| Conditions Studied | Depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, nicotine dependence, anxiety |
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A Medical Model with Guardrails
The bill takes a deliberately clinical approach. Psilocybin would only be available in medically supervised settings for patients whose clinician determines they have a qualifying condition. That decision rests entirely with the prescribing clinician, who assumes all professional liability under existing state medical conduct laws.
The Department of Health would oversee the entire program. It would license producers who manufacture, process and package psilocybin products. It would also license clinicians who administer treatment. Third party pharmacies would not be involved in distribution.
This framework draws heavily from New Mexico’s Medical Psilocybin Act, signed into law in April 2025.
Why This Bill Matters for Patients
The research supporting psilocybin therapy continues to grow. A Senate analysis of the bill notes that multiple studies indicate psilocybin may offer relief for depression, PTSD, substance use disorder, nicotine dependence and anxiety. The FDA has already granted breakthrough therapy designation for psilocybin in treating resistant depression.
For the millions of Americans living with treatment resistant mental health conditions, these legislative efforts represent more than policy shifts. They represent potential new pathways to healing.
What Comes Next
The bill still faces several hurdles before becoming law. It must clear the Ways and Means Committee, pass the full Senate and then move through the House. Even if signed into law, the program would not take effect until July 1, 2028.
Washington is not starting from scratch. In 2023, the state legislature passed a bill creating a psilocybin research pilot program at the University of Washington. That earlier effort focused on veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD.
Sen. Salomon has championed psilocybin reform in Olympia for several legislative sessions now. Each bill has built on the last, moving from research and pilot programs toward a broader therapeutic framework.
For practitioners and patients tracking these developments, the trajectory is clear. Washington is moving steadily toward regulated psilocybin therapy. The pace is deliberate, but the direction is unmistakable.
