Beyond Oregon: How Other States Are Moving Toward Psilocybin Treatment
By Ciara Cuddihy, Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator & Transformational Coach
Since Oregon became the first state to launch a regulated psilocybin services program, people all over the U.S. have been asking:
“Are other states starting to legalize psilocybin treatment too?”
The short answer is: yes, but slowly, and in very different ways. As of early 2026, there are only a few states with formal psilocybin treatment frameworks, plus a growing list that are studying or piloting psychedelic therapies.
This article offers a grounded snapshot of where things stand now. Laws are changing quickly, so always check current local regulations or consult with an attorney before making decisions based on this overview. This is information only, not legal or medical advice.
What Do We Mean by “Legal Psilocybin Treatment”?
When we talk about states “legalizing psilocybin treatment,” we’re not talking about underground work, decriminalized personal use, or trips abroad.
Here, “legal psilocybin treatment” means a state-authorized program where:
- Psilocybin is produced by licensed manufacturers,
- Sessions happen in licensed facilities or service centers,
- Clients work with licensed facilitators or health professionals,
- Psilocybin is consumed on-site (no take-home product), and
- The entire process is regulated by a state agency.
This is very different from local decriminalization, where possession might be deprioritized by law enforcement but there’s no official safety framework, quality control, or professional standards.
The Three States With Psilocybin Treatment Frameworks
1. Oregon – First-in-the-Nation Psilocybin Services
Oregon was the first state to create a regulated adult-use psilocybin services program. Voters approved Measure 109 in 2020, and the program opened to the public in 2023.
Key points:
- Adults 21+ can access psilocybin in licensed service centers with a state-licensed facilitator.
- A formal mental health diagnosis is not required, though many people seek support for depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic illness, spiritual exploration, or life transitions.
- Sessions include preparation, administration, and optional integration, and must take place on-site. There is no legal “take-home” psilocybin.
- Costs can be significant, often in the range of thousands of dollars for a high-dose journey, depending on the center and package.
Oregon’s model is often described as a “supported adult-use” wellness framework rather than strictly “medical,” although many people pursue deeply therapeutic and emotional work within it.
2. Colorado – “Natural Medicine” Healing Centers
Colorado became the second state to move forward when voters approved the Natural Medicine Health Act in 2022. After a rulemaking and setup period, licensed “natural medicine” healing centers began opening in 2025.
Key features:
- Adults 21+ can access supervised psilocybin sessions in licensed centers.
- The framework emphasizes “natural medicine” rather than a traditional medical model, although many clients seek help for mental health, trauma, or spiritual growth.
- Like Oregon, sessions involve screening, on-site administration, and supervision by trained facilitators, with integration support strongly encouraged.
- Early centers have reported strong interest and a wide range of pricing, similar to Oregon’s reality: meaningful work, but not yet widely accessible for everyone.
Colorado’s system is still in its early rollout, and the details continue to evolve as more healing centers open and regulators refine the program.
3. New Mexico – A Medical Psilocybin Program in Development
New Mexico has taken a more explicitly medical approach. In 2025, the state passed the Medical Psilocybin Act, creating a framework for psilocybin to be used as a treatment for specific qualifying conditions under medical supervision.
In New Mexico’s model:
- Psilocybin is framed as a medical treatment, not general adult-use.
- Licensed health-care professionals can seek special permission to provide psilocybin-assisted services.
- Qualifying conditions are expected to include things like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress.
- The program is being built now, with clinics expected to open in the coming years rather than immediately.
This makes New Mexico the third state with a legal pathway to psilocybin treatment—and the first to do so via legislation rather than a voter initiative.
States Actively Moving Toward Psilocybin Therapy
Beyond Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico, several states are laying groundwork through bills, pilot programs, research funding, and task forces. These do not yet offer broad public access, but they show where policy is headed.
Washington
Washington has so far focused on research and pilot work, including university-based studies of psilocybin therapy. Lawmakers have also introduced bills that would create a supervised psilocybin services model somewhat similar to Oregon and Colorado. These proposals are still moving through the legislative process, so there is not yet a public program.
Minnesota
Minnesota created a Psychedelic Medicine Task Force to study psilocybin and related substances. The task force’s work includes reviewing scientific evidence and making recommendations for how the state might safely implement therapeutic access. Bills have been introduced to create a regulated program for adults with specific medical conditions, but nothing is finalized yet.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has had a mixed path so far. A broad psychedelics ballot measure was rejected by voters in 2024, but legislators have since introduced more focused, clinically oriented bills. These proposals would create medical-style psilocybin programs, including potential access for veterans, law enforcement, and people with severe conditions. As of now, these are still in committee and not yet law.
New York
In New York, lawmakers have held hearings on bills that would allow medicinal psilocybin under a regulated framework. The emphasis has been on therapeutic use for specific conditions, in controlled settings. New York does not yet have an operational program, but it is firmly in the conversation.
California
California has considered several psychedelic-related bills. An earlier effort to broadly decriminalize some psychedelics was vetoed, with the governor asking for a more structured, therapeutic approach instead. Newer proposals have shifted toward tightly controlled clinical pilots, particularly for veterans and first responders, but a statewide psilocybin treatment program is not yet in place.
Research-First States & Advisory Groups
Some states are moving forward through research and expert advisory work rather than direct public access.
Texas
Texas has become a surprising leader in psychedelic research, particularly for veterans. The state has funded clinical trials of psilocybin-assisted therapy for PTSD and has committed substantial resources to studying other psychedelic compounds as potential treatments for addiction and brain injury. For now, this remains in the research domain—people typically access these therapies by enrolling in clinical trials, not by booking sessions at a public clinic.
Other Task Forces & Working Groups
Several other states have created task forces, commissions, or working groups to examine psychedelic medicine. Their roles are usually to:
- Review current scientific evidence,
- Evaluate potential risks and benefits,
- Explore regulatory and ethical questions, and
- Make recommendations for future laws or pilot programs.
These efforts rarely translate into immediate access, but they are important stepping stones toward more structured policy.
What This Means for You
As an Oregon-licensed psilocybin facilitator and transformational coach, I hear from people all over the country who are trying to navigate this changing landscape. It can feel confusing, hopeful, and frustrating all at once.
Here’s a simple way to ground it:
If you live in Oregon (or can travel here):
You already have access to a fully regulated psilocybin services program. That means you can sit with this medicine in a licensed service center, with a trained facilitator by your side from preparation through integration. My work through Anam is to help you feel safe, seen, and supported every step of the way.
If you live in Colorado:
Colorado’s “natural medicine” healing centers are beginning to open their doors. Access, cost, and availability will look different depending on where you are, so it’s important to check that any center or facilitator you’re considering is operating within the state’s legal framework and feels aligned with your values.
If you live in another state:
You may not have local legal access yet, and that can be disheartening. Some people choose to travel to Oregon or Colorado for a fully supervised experience. Others begin by tending the inner groundwork—through coaching, nervous system support, intention-setting, and integration—while they wait for their own state’s laws to evolve. All of this is part of the journey.
Wherever you are in the world, the heart of this work is the same:
safety, support, and integration.
Legal access is one piece of the picture; having a compassionate guide to help you prepare, make sense of what arises, and weave insights back into everyday life can be just as important.
This overview is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Please check current laws where you live and speak with appropriate professionals before making decisions around psilocybin or any other form of treatment.
Quick Comparison: Oregon, Colorado & New Mexico
Here’s a simple snapshot you can scan at a glance:
|
State
|
Program Status (2026)
|
Model / Framing
|
Who Can Access
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Oregon
|
Operational |
Regulated psilocybin “services” |
Adults 21+ (no diagnosis required) at licensed service centers |
|
Colorado
|
Operational (early rollout) |
“Natural Medicine” healing centers |
Adults 21+ in supervised settings with licensed facilitators |
|
New Mexico
|
In development |
Medical psilocybin program |
Patients with qualifying conditions under medical supervision |
A Moving Target: Staying Grounded and Safe
The psychedelic policy landscape is shifting rapidly. A few key reminders:
- Psilocybin remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S., even where states have created regulated programs.
- State programs can be expensive and geographically limited, raising real concerns about access and equity.
- Decriminalization is not the same as a regulated treatment framework and does not guarantee safety, quality, or professional support.
If you’re exploring psilocybin for healing or personal growth, it’s essential to:
- Stay up to date on the laws in your state,
- Confirm that anyone you work with is properly trained and operating legally, and
- Make sure you have adequate preparation and integration support.
If you’re feeling called to this work and unsure where to begin, you’re not alone.
At Anam, I offer preparation and integration support, as well as legally regulated psilocybin services here in Oregon. Together we can explore:
- Whether psilocybin services in Oregon might be a good fit for you
- How to prepare your mind, body, and heart for a journey
- How to gently integrate insights into daily life, with compassion and care
If you’d like to explore this further, you’re warmly invited to reach out for an initial conversation. There’s no pressure and no expectation—just a chance to ask questions, feel into the fit, and see what next step (if any) feels right for you.
Wherever you are on your path, may you move toward more wholeness, more kindness with yourself, and more space to be fully who you are.
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