PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE TASK FORCE
In the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature established a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force (“PMTF”) to advise it on the legal, medical, and policy issues associated with the potential legalization of psychedelic medicine in the State of Minnesota. Dr. Jessica Nielson, the founder and President of the Psychedelic Society of Minnesota, was appointed by Governor Walz, and elected by the other members of the task force, to serve as Chairperson for the PTMF.
State statute that created the PMTF: Minnesota Statutes, section 99: Psychedelic Medicine Task Force
To view the membership of the Psychedelic Medicine Taskforce, please visit Minnesota Secretary of State Board/Commission Psychedelic Medicine Task Force.
For purposes of this task force, "psychedelic medicine" refers to three distinct drugs with potential to treat certain medical conditions: psilocybin, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).
The task force met monthly from November 2023 - December 2024 to achieve the following mandated duties:
Survey existing studies in the scientific literature on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelic medicine in the treatment of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and any other mental health conditions and medical conditions for which a psychedelic medicine may provide an effective treatment option
Compare the efficacy of psychedelic medicine in treating the above conditions with the efficacy of treatments currently used for these conditions
Develop a comprehensive plan that covers:
Statutory changes necessary for the legalization of psychedelic medicine
State and local regulation of psychedelic medicine
Federal law, policy, and regulation of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on retaining state autonomy to act without conflicting with federal law, including methods to resolve conflicts such as seeking an administrative exemption to the federal Controlled Substances Act under United States Code, title 21, section 822(d), and Code of Federal Regulations, title 21, part 1307.03; seeking a judicially created exemption to the federal Controlled Substances Act; petitioning the United States Attorney General to establish a research program under United States Code, title 21, section 872(e); using the Food and Drug Administration's expanded access program; and using authority under the federal Right to Try Act
Education of the public on recommendations made to the legislature and others about necessary and appropriate actions related to the legalization of psychedelic medicine in the state.
