The Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances was authorized in July
2024 by the General Assembly (Chapters 792 & 793, Acts of 2024). The Task Force is charged with studying:
● Existing laws, policies, and practices relating to the use of natural psychedelic substances.
● The best available science and data on public benefits of responsible access to and use of natural psychedelic substances.
● Opportunities to maximize public benefits of responsible access to and use of natural psychedelic substances.
● The best available data on potential risks associated with access to and use of natural psychedelic substances.
● Opportunities to mitigate potential risks of access to and use of natural psychedelic substances.
● Barriers for health care practitioners and facilitators, including challenges related to insurance, licensing, zoning, advertising, and financial services.
The Task Force will make recommendations on potential changes to State law, policies, and practices necessary to create a Maryland Natural Psychedelic Substance Access Program that ensures broad, equitable, and affordable access to these substances. Recommendations may
address:
● Permitting requirements for education and safety.
● Access to treatment and regulated support.
● Production regulations for natural psychedelic substances.
● Transitioning from criminal conduct to civil penalties for nonviolent infractions related to psychedelic substances.
● Expungement of records for Marylanders with nonviolent convictions.
● Release of individuals incarcerated for nonviolent psychedelic-related offenses.
The Task Force is composed of nineteen members, including:
● Thirteen members appointed by the Governor.
● One member each appointed by the Senate President and House Speaker.
● Four ex officio members.
The Governor designates the Chair of the Task Force.
Authorization for the Task Force ends on December 31, 2026.
