The New Mexico Senate has given a decisive green light to a bill that would create a psilocybin therapy program, marking a significant step toward alternative mental health treatments in the state. With a 33-4 vote, lawmakers sent the measure to the House of Representatives, where it will face further scrutiny.
A Shift in Mental Health Treatment Policy
The proposed Medical Psilocybin Act, championed by Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D), would allow patients with specific medical conditions to access psilocybin—the psychoactive compound in psychedelic mushrooms—under the supervision of licensed healthcare providers.
Steinborn emphasized that this legislation is not a free-for-all legalization effort, but rather a carefully structured medical program. He pointed out that psilocybin has shown promise in treating conditions like PTSD and end-of-life anxiety.
“This is very different from cannabis,” Steinborn explained. “It could only be administered in a medical setting by licensed providers.”
The senator highlighted cases where a single psilocybin treatment provided long-term relief to patients battling severe psychological distress.
Bipartisan Support Emerges After Initial Skepticism
While many Democrats backed the bill, some Republicans also came around to supporting it—albeit with initial reservations.
One of the most striking moments in the debate came from Sen. Jay Block (R), a military veteran, who admitted that he was originally “adamantly opposed” to the measure. However, after learning more about psilocybin’s impact on veterans and individuals with serious mental health conditions, his stance changed.
Block became emotional on the Senate floor, acknowledging the struggles of those who have benefited from the psychedelic treatment. His shift underscores a broader trend of bipartisan recognition of alternative therapies, particularly in the realm of mental health care for veterans.
What Would the Program Look Like?
Under the proposed law, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) would oversee the program, ensuring that treatment is based on scientific research and medical guidelines. Key components of the program include:
- Strict medical supervision – Psilocybin could only be administered in controlled clinical settings by licensed professionals.
- Patient eligibility criteria – The treatment would be available to individuals diagnosed with conditions such as PTSD, depression, or terminal illness-related anxiety.
- Ongoing research mandate – The DOH would be tasked with continuing research to refine dosage guidelines, safety protocols, and efficacy assessments.
Why Is This Happening Now?
Psilocybin-assisted therapy has gained national attention due to a growing body of research suggesting it can be an effective treatment for mental health conditions resistant to conventional medication.
A 2020 Johns Hopkins University study found that 67% of participants with major depression experienced significant symptom relief after psilocybin therapy. Meanwhile, research from the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has shown promising results for PTSD treatment, particularly among military veterans.
New Mexico lawmakers seem to be taking cues from states like Oregon and Colorado, which have already moved to regulate psilocybin therapy. While New Mexico’s proposal is more restrictive, it reflects a growing acceptance of psychedelic medicine as a legitimate therapeutic option.
What Happens Next?
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives, where it will undergo further debate and potential amendments before a final vote. If passed, New Mexico would join a small but growing list of states recognizing psilocybin’s medical potential while keeping tight control over its administration.
With bipartisan backing and compelling testimony from both lawmakers and medical experts, the bill’s momentum suggests that New Mexico may soon take a bold step toward integrating psychedelics into mental health care.
