Oregon wants experts for new psilocybin-assisted therapy board

Oregon’s effort to create a new psilocybin-assisted therapy system has attracted attention from across the country.

Experts from as far afield as New York and Texas have expressed interest in sitting on the state’s new Psilocybin Advisory Board, which will set the system up over the next two years.

But Jeff Rhoades, a senior policy advisor to Gov. Kate Brown, said there’s a heavy preference on using experts from within the state.

“We can’t wait to get started on it,” he said. “There is a lot of evidence about the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, and I am really excited for Oregon to lead the way on this.”

Measure 109, approved by voters in November, allows therapy programs using the active ingredients of hallucinogenic mushrooms for people with depression, anxiety or addiction.