The Trip Continues – Oregon Psilocybin Update

It’s 2023! That means we can legally and safely consume psilocybin in Oregon at an approved service center, right? Not exactly. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) created a Psilocybin Program that was supposed to deliver accessibility and affordability for psychedelic psychotherapy in Oregon, but so far it seems like it has done the exact opposite? The biggest milestone psilocybin use has achieved is that the OHA is now accepting applications for psilocybin facilitators and service centers.

After a cursory review reveals there are many major barriers for potential providers to overcome including: 

• Lack of FDA Approval
  This could lead to issues with banking, payment, taxes, renting/leasing – especially with the sole purpose to dispense a schedule 1 non-FDA approved drug
• Liability Insurance
  How will psychedelic psychotherapy sessions be protected
• Varying County Regulations
  Many counties have already decided to not legalize psilocybin or could decide to do so at any time – greatly limiting location options
• Financial Limitations
  Service centers have to pay $10,000 annually; facilitators have to pay upwards of $10,000 for OHA psilocybin approved training programs + have to pay $2,000 annually to pass an OHA test to obtain and renew license

So, what does this mean?

In addition to Federal ramifications and local setup/training expenses, a potential facilitator would need enough money to buy a property in an approved county, pay the highest insurance premiums and recruit facilitators that aren’t worried about jeopardizing their license or professional reputation as a therapist.

Ultimately, instead of buying $200 worth of mushroom at the shroom house down the street, professionals are estimating this could cost the layperson upwards of $3,000 per journey due to costs being handed down to the consumer

What’s next?

For now, Willamette Wellness Center will continue to stay educated on the latest psilocybin developments including: FDA approval, additional counties to open up, insurance guidelines, professional licensing updates and other similar laws in other states.

Want to learn more? Read our blog on Psychedelic Psychotherapy. 

Be Well,