THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	208
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A MEDICINAL PSILOCYBIN and psilocin WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE MEDICINAL AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF PSILOCYBIN and psilocin AND DEVELOP A LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLAN TO ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINAL PSILOCYBIN and psilocin OR PSILOCYBIN-BASED and psilocin-based PRODUCTS THAT ARE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE, AND AFFORDABLE FOR ELIGIBLE ADULT PATIENTS.

 

 

        WHEREAS, mental health conditions are treated in various ways depending on the condition and can include medication, therapy, and psychosocial services; and

 

        WHEREAS, these treatments, while effective for certain conditions and patients, do not treat all mental health conditions; and

 

        WHEREAS, psilocybin and psilocin occur naturally in certain species of mushrooms; and

 

        WHEREAS, psilocybin and psilocin are natural chemicals that can activate serotonin receptors in the brain; and

 

        WHEREAS, studies conducted by nationally and internationally recognized medical institutions indicate that psilocybin and psilocin have shown efficacy, tolerability, and safety in the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, and end-of-life psychological distress; and

 

        WHEREAS, the United States Food and Drug Administration has determined that preliminary clinical evidence indicates that psilocybin and psilocin may demonstrate substantial improvement over available therapies for major depressive disorder and severe treatment-resistant depression and has granted a breakthrough therapy designation for a treatment that uses psilocybin and psilocin as a therapy for major depressive disorder and a breakthrough therapy designation for a treatment that uses psilocybin and psilocin as a therapy for severe treatment-resistant depression; and

 

        WHEREAS, Hawaii has a shortage of mental health professionals and should actively consider novel, innovative, and safe solutions to treat its citizens; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group, to be placed in the Department of Health for administrative purposes; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group is requested to examine:

 

        (1)   Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, administrative rules, and procedures regarding the medicinal use of psilocybin and psilocin;

 

        (2)   Available medical, psychological, and scientific studies, research, and other information relating to the safety and efficacy of psilocybin and psilocin in treating mental health conditions; and

 

        (3)   Requirements, specifications, and guidelines for a medical professional to prescribe and provide psilocybin and psilocin to patients; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group is requested to develop a long-term strategic plan to ensure the availability of medicinal psilocybin and psilocin or psilocybin-based and psilocin-based products that are safe, accessible, and affordable for adults twenty-one years of age or older; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following individuals, or their respective designees, are requested to serve as members of the Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group:

 

        (1)   The Director of Health, who is requested to serve as chairperson of the working group;

 

        (2)   The Attorney General;

 

        (3)   The Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa;

 

        (4)   The chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives standing committees whose subject matter purview is primarily responsible for reviewing legislation relating to health and to the Judiciary;

 

        (5)   A physician duly licensed under Chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or advanced practice registered nurse with the authority to prescribe psychotropic medication and duly licensed under Chapter 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

 

        (6)   A psychiatrist duly licensed under Chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

 

        (7)   A representative of the Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

 

        (8)   A representative of the Clarity Project, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

 

        (9)   A representative of the public with psychedelics   related industry experience, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

 

      (10)   A representative of the Hawaii Psychological Association, to be to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

 

      (11)   A representative of the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group; and

      (12)   A member of the public with executive or managerial responsibilities for a medical cannabis dispensary licensed under Chapter 329D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or a representative of the Hawaii Educational Association for Licensed Therapeutic Healthcare, to be appointed by the chairperson of the working group; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairperson of the Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group may invite other interested parties with relevant experience to join the working group; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group is requested to submit a preliminary report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022, and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group be dissolved on July 1, 2023; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Attorney General, and Dean of the John A. Burns School of Medicine.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

Medicinal Psilocybin and Psilocin Working Group; Department of Health