New Mexico Legalizes Psilocybin Therapy, But Snubs Decrim

Good morning, and happy Monday! Welcome to another edition of The Drop In, DoubleBlind’s newsletter delivering independent journalism about psychedelics straight to your inbox.

Today’s lead news story is about New Mexico’s move to legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy. Does the new framework decriminalize mushrooms? Mmm, no. But does it create a pathway to access for low-income patients? Yes. (Allegedly.) We get into that and so much more below! If you keep scrolling, you’ll find stories about the life and art of Pablo Amaringo, Zebra fish on ayahuasca, and what college institutions are (and aren’t) for students interested in psychedelics. 

One last — very important — thing. Last week, we lost a few beloved friends of the DoubleBlind team after they unknowingly consumed fentanyl-laced cocaine in LA. We are heartbroken. We’re sharing this not to alarm you but to remind you that in 2025, testing your substances isn’t optional. It’s absolutely imperative. Please get fentanyl test strips and/or reagent tests to check your drugs before consuming them. Also, please carry Narcan / Naloxone on your person; you can find out where to secure some near you here.

Stay safe out there, friends. We love you.

Mary Carreón
Senior Editor

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New Mexico Officially Legalizes Psilocybin Therapy

New Mexico just became the third state to legalize psilocybin therapy, but for everyone outside the medical program, possession and use of mushrooms is still a crime.

On Monday, New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed SB 219 into law, effectively legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy for qualifying patients across the state, Marijuana Moment reports.

The new law, also called the Medical Psilocybin Act, establishes a tightly regulated framework allowing for the medical use of psilocybin in treating conditions like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life anxiety. Under the program, therapy will consist of preparation, guided psilocybin therapy, and follow-up integration sessions.

“Ensuring New Mexicans have access to every available treatment for serious behavioral health challenges is critical,” says Senator Jeff Steinborn, the bill’s sponsor. “This proven therapy offers new hope for those in need.”

Unlike Colorado and Oregon, two states with legal psilocybin therapy laws on the books, New Mexico passed the Medical Psilocybin Act through the state legislature rather than a voter initiative. Arguably, a benefit of passing a law this way is that if the law needs to be updated, corrected, or otherwise tweaked (which it inevitably will), the legislature can amend it directly. On the other hand, ballot measures often require another vote to change, even for minor changes, which can lead to delayed implementation and bog down progress in “red tape.” The drawback of pushing a law through the legislature is that with no vote, the general public doesn’t have a direct say. That can make the process feel top-down, and sometimes, lawmakers don’t represent the full will of their constituents, especially when it comes to progressive drug policy.

The state’s Department of Health will oversee everything — from licensing mushroom cultivators and therapists to setting dosage and storage protocols to approving new qualifying conditions. A nine-member advisory board will also determine medical guidelines, training standards, and future policy recommendations. One of the most notable elements of this legal framework is that synthetic psilocybin will not be legal under the program.

The legislation also creates two new funds: one to support low-income patients' access to psilocybin therapy and another to fund research on the medical use of psilocybin.

Lawmakers clarified that while licensed psilocybin providers are shielded from criminal charges, they could still face malpractice suits.

Where the Medical Psilocybin Act arguably falls short is decriminalization. SB 219 doesn’t decriminalize possession, use, cultivation, or sales of psilocybin mushrooms for the general public. 

“SB 219 is also clear in emphasizing participation in the program by a producer, clinician, or qualified patient does not relieve them from criminal prosecution or civil penalties for activities not authorized in the Medical Psilocybin Act,” the bill states. “SB 219 does not propose broad decriminalization of psilocybin. Legal protections would be narrowly tailored as necessary for the purpose of implementing a medical psilocybin therapeutic model.” 

In other words, unless you are actively participating in the new state program — with either a license, a title, or a state-approved diagnosis — psilocybin possession, cultivation, or use remains illegal under both state and federal law.

Decrim aside, however, New Mexico is still making history by passing a law allowing people to access psilocybin mushroom therapy. And in a chaotic country where psychedelic mushrooms are still considered a Schedule I drug, carving out any legal access at all is no small thing.

Is There a Dark Side to Ketamine?

This Friday, we’re diving into the shadowy side of ketamine — the fast-acting antidepressant that’s gone from clinical underdog to wellness-world darling. Journalist Alex Olshonsky unpacks how a drug once reserved for emergency rooms and battlefields is now passed around like candy at festivals. But behind the promise of near-instant relief lies a rising tide of troubling outcomes that no one saw coming.

“It saved my life… initially,” says Ford Smith, a psychedelic investor who ended up in rehab after self-medicating with daily doses. “But it nearly ended me, too.”

This story is wild. You don’t want to miss it. Upgrade your subscription here to read our Friday feature.

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FREE WORKSHOP | Myceliated Movements: Fungi, Psychedelics & Organizing for Liberation April 20 | 3 PM PT

What can mushrooms teach us about building movements that actually last? Turns out, a lot.

From underground mycelial networks to mind-expanding psychedelic journeys, nature has been modeling resilience, interconnection, and mutual aid all along — we just haven’t been paying attention.

In this live session, workshop host Charlotte Duerr James explores how the intelligence of fungi and the insights of altered states can reshape the way we approach activism, community care, and collective liberation. Drawing from Indigenous traditions, ecological wisdom, and contemporary organizing, this is a call to move beyond burnout — and into something more regenerative, relational, and real.

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DoubleBlind Digs

Here are today’s recommendations to help you live more psychedelically… 

DONATE: A few weeks ago, we shared news about the devastating floods in Peru’s Ucayali region and highlighted a fundraiser to support the Shipibo-Konibo community. Now, the Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund has launched a coordinated relief effort to help Shipibo families who have been displaced and lost everything. Donate to support trusted Indigenous-led organizations providing direct aid on the ground here.

LEARN: Join Chacruna on Wednesday, April 16, for a powerful conversation at the intersection of psychedelic churches and U.S. law. Legal experts will unpack the risks, rights, and responsibilities facing ayahuasca communities — from DEA exemptions to the real cost of religious freedom. Sign up for the webinar here. 

ATTEND IN CA: Not sure how to spend Bicycle Day and 4/20? We have an idea. Spirituality and Beyond 2025 is a fusion of psychedelics, plant medicine, and sacred community, uniting Easter Sunday, Bicycle Day, and 4/20 in one powerful weekend. Come for the consciousness-expanding talks, stay for the cannabis-friendly celebration and soul-deep connection. Learn more here.

ATTEND IN CO: This April 19, PORTAL is throwing the ultimate late-night takeover at Meow Wolf Denver to honor the anniversary of Albert Hofmann’s legendary first LSD trip. Expect a wild, immersive celebration of psychedelic culture—complete with live music, dazzling visuals, secret performances, and a crowd that knows how to move. Get your tickets and read more about it here.

JOB OPP: Looking for a high-impact gig in the plant medicine space? The Indigenous Medicine Conservation Fund is currently hiring for two contract positions. One is a Communications Director, and the other is a Web Designer. Learn more and apply here!

Together with ENTHEO*

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