Fighting Drugs with Drugs: Medical Mushrooms in Utah's War on Opioids

The text discusses Utah legislation S.B. 200 and its successor S.B. 266, which could improve psilocybin's legal status and accessibility for opioid recovery. Although S.B. 200 failed, S.B. 266 may positively impact mental illness, addiction, and transiency in Utah. The author argues that evidence of psilocybin's effectiveness against opioid addiction, gathered under S.B. 266's reporting requirements, could secure bipartisan support and help Utah combat its opioid crisis.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In addition to the happy side effect of improving psilocybin’s odds of rescheduling under the proposed new CAMU standard (potentially increasing national psilocybin accessibility for opioid recovery), Senator Escamilla’s S.B. 200 could represent the beginning of a new era for the State of Utah in its battle against opioids. Despite S.B. 200’s failure to pass, the medical application of psilocybin under S.B. 266 (S.B. 200’s spiritual successor) should positively impact several interconnected issues in Utah, including mental illness, addiction, and transiency. However, specific proof of psilocybin’s effectiveness in combatting opioid addiction should be especially persuasive in garnering bipartisan support for future expansion of approved usage and funding for medical psilocybin. Data on psilocybin-assisted opioid addiction recovery, gathered under S.B. 266’s reporting requirements, could at long last mean victory for Utah in its war on opioids.