House Bill No. 7065 seeks to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of psilocybin, specifically less than half an ounce, by amending existing laws. The bill introduces new legal language that classifies possession of psilocybin as an infraction, imposing a fine of $150 for a first offense and between $200 to $500 for subsequent offenses. It also mandates that law enforcement officers seize and destroy any psilocybin found in violation of this law. Additionally, the bill modifies the definition of controlled substances to include psilocybin as a hallucinogenic substance while excluding amounts less than half an ounce from certain penalties, including those related to drug paraphernalia. Notably, minors under 18 would not be adjudicated delinquent for their first or second offense of possession, a significant change from current law.

The bill further stipulates a 60-day suspension of the driver's license for individuals under 21 convicted of psilocybin possession and lowers the burden of proof in trials related to this violation from "beyond a reasonable doubt" to "preponderance of the evidence." It repeals and replaces various sections of the general statutes to reflect these changes, including adjustments to penalties and definitions related to delinquent acts. The effective date for these changes is set for October 1, 2025. Overall, HB 7065 aims to streamline the legal framework surrounding psilocybin possession, reduce penalties, and potentially decrease costs for the judicial system while maintaining existing penalties for larger quantities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 14-111e
JUD Joint Favorable: 14-111e
File No. 730: 14-111e