New Mexico’s Department of Health is aiming to accelerate the rollout of the state’s psilocybin therapy program.
On Friday, officials from the department made the reveal after holding a meeting with New Mexico’s newly formed Psilocybin Advisory Board. This group is comprised of seven psilocybin therapy practitioners and advocates. The plan is to expedite the implementation of the medical magic mushroom program by one year.
New Mexican Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill into law permitting physician-recommended usage of psilocybin for treating severe health conditions in April. This milestone marked the first time in United States history that such legislation was approved through the legislature rather than voter approved ballots like Colorado and Oregon.
Colorado and Oregon also differ from New Mexico’s 2025 regulations in that they do not require people seeking psilocybin therapy to obtain a referral from a medical professional. These are currently the only three American states to allow this unconventional, controversial and highly promising treatment.
Local publication Source NM first broke the news about the government’s intent of getting the clinics opened up faster.
Senate Bill 219 requires the Department of Health to establish the facilitated psilocybin program no later than Dec. 31, 2027. New Mexico agreed to spend US$4.5 million to establish the program this spring.
“We are experiencing a new renaissance of psychedelic medicine,” stated Senator Jeff Steinborn during the meeting. “By definition, we’re pioneers and we’re going to learn a lot…”
Psilocybe mescaleroensis is the most common variety of psilocybin mushroom that grows naturally in New Mexico.
Amateur mycologists Lee Walstad and Gastón Guzmán first brought it to public attention in the 1980s. Their discovery led to its formal classification in 2007.
Federal government announces new funding for psychedelics; New Jersey advances psilocybin bill and New Mexico holds first public psilocybin meeting; Government increases 2026 psychedelics quotas https://t.co/qmeu6jCSbp
— Michael Pollan (@michaelpollan) December 5, 2025
Read more: New Mexico follows in Oregon & Colorado’s footsteps by legalizing psilocybin therapy
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